INSEC documented 504 victims of human rights abuses in Gandaki Province in 2024. Speaking at a press meet organized by the INSEC Gandaki Province Office in Pokhara on February 19, INSEC Gandaki Province Coordinator Shiva Khakurel stated that violence against women and children remains a serious challenge. Khakurel stated that in 2024, of the 504 victims of abuses in Gandaki Province, 429 were women and 75 were men. Among them, 217 women were victims of domestic violence, 45 women were victims of rape, and two women were victims of cybercrime. Additionally, one woman was killed after being raped this year.
In 2023, INSEC documented five men victims of human rights violations along with 548 women, and 63 men victims of human rights abuses in Gandaki Province. In 2024, there was a noticeable increase in child rights violations. According to Khakurel, 131 were the victims of child rights violations this year. Among the 11 districts of Gandaki Province, Kaski recorded the highest number of incidents, while Manang had the fewest cases. Khakurel highlighted that the tendency to mediate cases of violence against women and children within the police administration remained prevalent. He added that it is the state’s responsibility to provide justice to victims of rape and sexual abuse. However, the trend of releasing the accused on bail is depriving the victims of justice. Khakurel stated that although the provincial government has built a safe house for women victims of violence, it has not yet been made operational. Khakurel stated that there have been no recorded incidents of violations by the state in Gandaki Province this year. He added that family members, relatives, and known individuals are often the main accused of violence against women, making it even more difficult for victims to obtain justice.
INSEC has been publishing the Nepal Human Rights Yearbook since 1992. The 2025 edition of the Nepal Human Rights Yearbook also includes environmental rights alongside human rights as a priority.