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Abstract:
Violence against women in Nepal is deeply rooted in societal structures and cultural norms, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of effective interventions. The 2022 Nepal Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) introduced assessments of intimate partner violence (IPV) among nonmarried women, as well as assessments of nonpartner violence among all eligible women. This study examined patterns of and determinants of common forms of violence perpetrated by intimate partners and nonpartners using data from the 2022 NDHS. Quantitative analysis was performed using data from 5,177 women age 15–49 who responded to the violence module, and findings were organized by level of the socioecological model (i.e., individual, interpersonal, community, and societal). Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were performed and adjusted to account for survey design.
Among the 5,177 women, 3,853 were currently married or cohabiting at the time of the survey. Approximately 22% reported having experienced physical violence, and roughly one in 13 reported having experienced sexual violence, during their lifetimes. Nearly 20% reported physical violence by intimate partners, compared with 4.4% who reported physical violence by nonpartners; 5.9% of women reported sexual violence by intimate partners, and 1.5% reported such violence by nonpartners. At the individual level, ethnicity played a significant role in the experience of physical violence, particularly for Madheshi, Muslim, and Dalit women. Older age was associated with a higher likelihood of IPV, while education was protective. Women who were employed, however, faced increased risks of violence from nonpartners. At the interpersonal level, exposure to paternal violence against mothers was the most consistent determinant of all types of violence by both intimate partners and nonpartners. Characteristics of husbands/partners such as unemployment, controlling behavior, and alcohol use increased the likelihood of IPV. At the community level, violence rates were highest in Madhesh, Bagmati, and Lumbini provinces, and women from rural areas were at higher risk of nonpartner sexual violence. At the societal level, media exposure was protective against emotional violence, but normalization of violence against women increased their risk of physical violence from intimate partners. Barriers accessing health services were associated with higher odds of nonpartner sexual violence.
These findings underscore the importance of considering socioecological levels and customizing interventions accordingly. At the central policy level, existing laws on violence against women should be updated to reflect modern societal changes, coupled with efforts to enhance women’s access to legal support. At the implementation level, multiple sectors should raise awareness about these laws to empower women to understand their rights. The health sector plays a pivotal role in identifying and supporting victims, and family and community volunteers can be mobilized to address barriers to health care access. Continued training of frontline health workers is essential for fostering a stronger referral mechanism for women seeking medical and legal support. Involving mental health experts in early interventions is vital to break intergenerational cycles of violence. The education sector should revise curricula, with educators and school nurses trained on violence prevention and support. At the local level, capacity to develop tailored policies should be built, activities to raise police awareness should be conducted, and technology and the media can be leveraged to help mitigate violence.
Determinants of Violence Against Women Perpetrated by Intimate Partners and Nonpartners, 2022 Nepal DHS (PDF, 3302K)