Effects domestic violence among dalit women in Ghodaghodi, Kailali

Abstract

Domestic violence is broadly in any act of violence within house. It includes differential treating of girls, wife beating and abuse, torture of daughter and neglect and torture of widowed women in the family. Domestic violence against Dalit women is a pervasive issue in Nepal. Domestic violence compounds their struggles and creates significant challenges for their physical, mental, and social well-being. The Dalit community in Nepal is one of the most marginalized and disadvantaged groups in the country. According to the United Nations Development Programmer (UNDP), the Dalit population in Nepal comprises around 13 percent of the total population and is one of the most socially and economically deprived communities in the country. The effects of domestic violence on Dalit women in Nepal are numerous and devastating. One of the most apparent effects is physical harm. This research was descriptive and analytical in nature. An interview schedule was used as tool for date collection. The total 181 people have been selected as respondents of the study census method from ghadaghodi, Kailali. Study found out that among 181 respondents, the total of 88.4 percent women had experienced domestic violence (Physical violence 50.6 percent, mental violence 45 percent, sexual violence 2.5 percent and other violence 1.9 percent). Study found out that this violence basically done by respondent’s husband. Alcoholism is main reason to involve in this violence. Women are victims of domestic violence due to alcoholism. Women are physically exploited, psychologically torture sexual violence and socially demoralized by their husbands and his family members such violence causes multiple impacts on their health. The effect of women violence can be devastated to women’s physical, psychological, sexual, social as well as reproductive health and well being. In conclusion, the most of the respondents were victimized by their husband and her family members. The women faced physically and mentally tortured. The major cause of domestic violence of women was alcoholic husband, dowry system. Due to these kinds of violence the women were perceived negative effect in their health. The women faced more violence in joint family. The researcher concluded that the husband was main offender for the violence. Majority of respondent were faced violence multiple times in month.