Violence against women in Nepal can take many different forms. Women generally have little or no decision making power, even concerning their bodies and health.

Women are not allowed to decide when or how often they will give birth. Also, a preference for sons means women must keep giving birth until they produce a son, contributing to a high number of births. Husbands can prevent wives from receiving necessary medical treatment. Husbands often will ignore or not believe their wives when the women tell them intercourse is painful as a result of uterine prolapse – making marital rape a frequent occurrence.

Domestic abuse is prevalent in Nepali society, where the consequences of uterine prolapse can include being beaten or kicked out of one’s home.

Incredibly, some women believe that wife beating is justified. All of these situations constitute violence against women and contribute to the prevalence of uterine prolapse.

	Parvati Poudel
	Padma Kumari