Legal Advice and Support

Many women in Nepal are unable to seek legal assistance through current channels because they are either unaware that they have legal rights or unable to pay the associated legal fees. WF provides legal assistance to women who are harassed or tortured by their husbands, families, and society but cannot get legal help by themselves. Our assistance may be in the form of advice, payment of court fees, or active participation in the case, sometimes repeatedly if the case is appealed to a higher court. 

One of WF's longest running programs is Legal Assistance Program. This is one of the most important programs. A substantial proportion of Nepal's population is unaware of their legal entitlements. This is particularly very prominent in the rural areas. Even where people understand their entitlements, legal assistance is expensive and unaffordable to the majority. There are three lawyers currently employed. The Legal Assistance program operates in three ways; (i) free legal advice to women who can afford legal action but are unaware of the procedure involved; (ii) free legal service to those who are in need of assistance but cannot afford legal fees. (iii) Legal education and awareness to the community's people.

We provide legal assistance to women who are harassed or tortured by their husband, family, or society. Since 1988, we have given assistance to many thousands of women and girls across Nepal. At the moment there are 272 cases of different category, like citizenship, domestic violence, rape, right to property and witch - hunting is waiting for the decision to be made. Since January to March 2006, 19 cases of different category have been decided in favour of the Women's Foundation's client. Only one case registered by the Foundation went against the interest of the client.

Legal education programs are an integral part of our effort to teach women their human rights and responsibilities. These programs further serve to build the capacity for self-organizing among women. The organization is running legal awareness classes in Jhapa, Dang, Panchthar and Sindhupalchowk districts

A Recent Success Story

Binda Humagai was born in the Ramechhap district in Nepal. Her parents arranged her marriage when she was 15 years old. This is a translation of Binda's story, as told by her.

“My husband and I had been married for just one year when he married another woman and moved to Kathmandu . He visited me in the village from time to time but he treated me very badly, arguing with me, calling me bad things and often he would hit me. Once he broke my leg and I went to his parents but they did not support me.  They said that my husband behaved like this because I had bad luck, that I am a woman and must accept my luck.  I went to my parent's home but they were very poor and could not support me.  They could hardly support themselves. I was a burden for my family and decided that it was my duty to live at my husband's house, but his family did not allow me in their home and they showed me a small plot of land where I could stay. I stayed at my neighbour’s house for a few days and they helped me to build a very small house made of grass and stone. I lived in that little house and worked on my neighbour's land everyday. From time to time my husband and his new wife would come to the village to meet his parents, but every time they treated me very badly.  They took my food, pots and other things and I could not do anything to stop them. I stayed in that village for 15 years and sometimes I thought that I had cried enough tears to fill a big pond.  At that time I was 31 years old and believed that I was an old woman.  I lost hope for my future. 

Two years ago my husband and his new wife came to the village and at night they locked my house and tried to burn the house down.  I escaped but all my possessions were burned.  When I ran from the house my husband chased me with a knife.  The neighbours heard my screams and they protected me.  I went to the Ward Member who was elected from my area and explained my situation to him.  He talked to my husband, but my husband threatened to kill him also. My husband told me that he had many cars and taxis in Kathmandu and if I visited Kathmandu he would smash me "like a tomato in the road”.  I was very afraid. Seeing my situation, the Ward Member gave me the telephone number of the Women’s Foundation, gave me money for the bus fare to Kathmandu and I was able to find the Women’ s  Foundation.

When I had met the woman at the Women's Foundation I felt like I had a new life.  They helped me to believe that I was not as old as I thought and they convinced me that I had the opportunity to create my own future.  For two years I worked in the kitchen at the shelter and they showed me great appreciation for my cooking. 

WF's lawyers registered my case in court and after two years I have finally succeeded in getting money from my husband for the property which I am entitled to.  I received NRs200,000 (Us$2700) and used most of this money to buy a small piece of land in Kathmandu where I have built a house to live in.  I feel I have respect from other people now and have learned to read and write a little. The women at the shelter showed me great support and helped me to believe that I am worth something. WF is now helping me to prepare my land for farming. Without their help I am not sure what my life would be like.  I am excited about my future and even though I will miss my friends at the shelter I feel proud that I have my own land and my own life.”