In Putha Uttarganga Rural Municipality, Rukum East, the Bhume festival took a dark turn last year for a 17-year-old girl during a major celebration. Despite its joyful nature, the festival became a traumatic experience as the girl fell victim to a brutal assault orchestrated under the pretext of ‘Tani Bibaha,’ an age-old tradition involving dragging a girl against her will for forced marriage. This incident sheds light on the pervasive misuse of cultural practices to perpetrate violence against women in the region.
The assault, carried out by four men in public, revealed the deeply entrenched nature of these practices. Shockingly, community members, adhering to outdated norms, shielded the perpetrators from legal consequences. The incident highlights the urgent need for societal awareness and a shift in attitudes to break free from traditions that enable such violence against women.
An additional concern is the corrupt version of the ‘Chhotti Basne’ tradition still prevalent in East Rukum villages. Originally a practice where a boy sought a girl’s consent through singing and dancing, the current version involves forceful actions, infringing upon the girl’s agency. The story also points out the reluctance of locals to challenge such practices, creating an environment where abuse can persist without repercussions.
The struggle for justice is further compounded by the community’s resistance to legal intervention. Even though the police intervened to rescue the girl, local leaders, including people’s representatives, prevented the arrests of the assailants, citing the protection of age-old traditions. This underscores the challenge of enforcing legal measures in areas where deeply rooted customs take precedence over individual rights and safety.
A subsequent incident in Bhume Rural Municipality, where a 20-year-old girl was assaulted by four men, illustrates the pervasive nature of such abuse. While this victim managed to file a complaint, it remains a rare instance where legal action was taken. A survey conducted among teenage girls in the region reveals alarming statistics of sexual abuse, with a significant majority not reporting the incidents, perpetuating a cycle of silence and impunity.
The dire consequences of these practices are evident in the impact on education, mental health, and overall well-being of the girls. Widespread fear of abduction has significantly lowered school attendance among girls, with a large percentage experiencing trauma. Advocates emphasize the urgent need for community support, awareness campaigns, and stringent legal measures to break free from the shackles of deeply ingrained traditions that compromise the safety and dignity of young girls in East Rukum.
