Nepal - exploited by older married man - young unmarried mother accused of infanticide

Med Leg J. 2019 Sep;87(3):127-129. doi: 10.1177/0025817218822009. Epub 2019 Jun 10.

Abstract

In Nepal, it is considered sinful for a woman to have sexual intercourse before marriage while the male is exonerated. The female will be branded a loose character outcast by family and society. Only a small percentage of women who feel the other way and stand mentally strong or who have family support come out to seek justice. Despite the stringent law, the loopholes in the justice mechanism re-victimise female victims. We report a case where a young unmarried pregnant woman who gave birth alone was charged with infanticide.

Keywords: Adultery; Nepal; infanticide; unmarried young mother.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Illegitimacy / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Illegitimacy / psychology
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infanticide / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Infanticide / psychology
  • Male
  • Nepal
  • Sexism / psychology
  • Sexual Behavior / psychology
  • Young Adult