Global Women's Voices: Share Personal Stories

Gori, Nepal

Submitted by: Indira Rana Magar

I was raped by my father in-law. I am from Lalitpur ( One of the three districts of Kathmandu Valley). My husband was working in foreign country to earn for living. I got pregnant but it was not much problem for me because my husband used to visit me frequently. I had to work hard at home carrying out all household responsibilities from fetching water to going to jungle to collect firewood and fodder while I was pregnant.

I used to tie a long cloth (locally known as PATUKA) around my waist to give me support while carrying out heavy duties. I miscarried my pregnancy as a result of the hard work and it could also be due to tight Patuka which I used to tie around my waste. After I miscarried my uncle in-law called the police. The reason to call the police was they suspected that I had abortion intentionally.

Till then they did not know that the father of the child was nobody but my own father in-law. At the police station I told that the father of the child was my father in-law. At present both me and my father in-law are in the prison. But, even today I don’t know why I am in the jail? I did not commit any crime. I was raped, I was doing hard work and I miscarried but I am paying for the sin committed by other person.



[This story was told to Indira Rana Magar of founder of Prisoners Assistance Nepal by the victim. Indira Rana Magar is the activist working for the such kind of victims. The real name has been kept secret to protect privacy.]

updated: 7/2/2004