There are a shocking number of instances of sexual violence against Nepali women. Not that we did not know but the study by SATHI, a not-for-profit, on rape, incest and polygamy shows just how bad the situation is. The survey, which had one hundred respondents in most categories, reveals that a majority of rape victims (39 percent) are under the age of 19. Victims of incest, however, belong to all age groups, with 32 percent belonging to 30-39 age group, 29 percent in the 10-19 age group, and 24 percent in the 20-29 age group. Seventeen percent are above 40.

SATHI says economic dependency and ignorance about their legal rights makes women vulnerable to such violence, which reinforces their disadvantaged position in society. Seventy-one percent of the rape victims SATHI surveyed said they had no independent source of income. Ironically, 69 percent of women in polygamous marriages are under 40?in most awareness programs and action plans, however, they are taken to have greater access to information that would tell them that this practice, for instance, is punishable by law. Most victims of incest came from well-off families.

Victims of sexual violence in Nepal come from all ethnic groups and economic strata, but 42 percent of rape victims belong to disadvantaged communities, while 48 percent of incest victims and 39 percent in polygamous marriages are Bahun, Chhetri or Newar, the so-called high caste/class groups.