𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐀 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬

…𝑯𝒊𝒈𝒉 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒏𝒆𝒓 𝒗𝒊𝒐𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒖𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒔𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒔

By Kezang Choden

Despite legal frameworks and international efforts to combat gender-based violence (GBV), the issue remains deeply rooted in Bhutanese society, affecting women across all social and economic backgrounds. According to the National Commission for Women and Children’s (NCWC) 2024-2028 National Strategy and Framework of Action on the Elimination of Gender-Based Violence, two in five women in Bhutan experience intimate partner violence, while 6.9 percent report having faced childhood sexual violence. GBV persists due to systemic challenges such as inadequate legal protections, social stigma, and insufficient support systems. The NCWC, in collaboration with the United Nations in Bhutan, has launched a comprehensive strategy to address these issues. However, the effectiveness of these interventions remains questionable, as data reveals alarming rates of violence against women and girls.

The first nationally representative household survey on violence against women (VAW) in Bhutan was conducted in 2017 using the World Health Organization (WHO) methodology. The findings paint a grim picture: nearly one in three women experienced some form of violence in the past year. Among ever-partnered women and girls, 13.9 percent reported experiencing physical violence from a partner at some point, with 5.1 percent facing such violence in the past 12 months. Partner sexual violence was reported by 4.5 percent over their lifetime and 2.3 percent in the last year.

When combining physical and sexual violence by partners, the prevalence stood at 15.1 percent over a lifetime and 6.1 percent in the past year. Emotional abuse was another major concern, with 15.8 percent of women and girls reporting it in their lifetime and 8.6 percent in the last 12 months. The most prevalent form of abuse was controlling behavior by intimate partners, affecting 35.3 percent over their lifetime and 24.3 percent in the past year. Economic violence was also a significant issue, with 10.9 percent of women and girls experiencing it in their lifetime and 6.7 percent in the past year. Restrictions on employment or earning money were the most common form, impacting 6.5 percent in their lifetime and 4.7 percent in the past year.

Beyond intimate partner violence, 12.5 percent of women and girls reported experiencing physical violence from non-partners, while 5.8 percent reported sexual violence from non-partners. Perpetrators included male friends, acquaintances, strangers, family members, work colleagues, and in-laws. Childhood sexual abuse was reported by 6.9 percent of women and girls, most commonly between the ages of 10 and 14, with male strangers frequently identified as perpetrators.

A recent study exploring 39 potential risk factors associated with intimate partner violence (IPV) in Bhutan identified nine key factors spanning individual characteristics, partner behaviors, and relationship dynamics. Women’s age, occupation, and experience of childhood sexual abuse were significant predictors. Younger women and those unemployed or in clerical jobs were more vulnerable. A history of childhood sexual abuse increased the likelihood of revictimization. Financial dynamics within households also played a role, with women contributing more financially than their partners at a heightened risk of IPV. Women with disabilities reported higher instances of partner violence.

An unexpected finding was that women whose partners never refused to use a condom were also at an increased risk of IPV. The report also identified harmful behaviors such as excessive alcohol consumption and toxic masculine attitudes—including having multiple partners and condoning violence—as major contributors. Societal norms that elevate men’s status while limiting women’s opportunities, restricted access to paid employment, and low levels of gender equality further exacerbated the issue.

The consequences of GBV extend beyond physical harm. A staggering 74 percent of women who experienced physical violence in the past 12 months suffered severe forms of abuse, including being beaten, choked, burned, or threatened with a weapon. Similarly, 78 percent of women who faced sexual partner violence reported severe forms of assault, including forced intercourse. Nearly 73 percent of victims reported suffering injuries, with 16.6 percent sustaining deep cuts, 16.4 percent experiencing broken eardrums or eye injuries, and 17.2 percent enduring internal injuries. The long-term impact on health was profound, with 22.8 percent of affected women reporting lasting health issues. Among those employed, 16.4 percent struggled to concentrate at work, 8.2 percent were unable to work entirely, and 6.3 percent lost confidence in their abilities. Women who experienced partner violence were three times more likely to have suicidal thoughts, with 16.2 percent reporting serious suicidal ideation compared to 5.8 percent of those who did not face abuse. Over half of survivors reported multiple symptoms of poor mental health. The trauma of domestic violence extends to children, with many exhibiting behavioral issues such as nightmares, aggression, and academic struggles. More than 60 percent of women who experienced partner violence reported that their children had either witnessed or overheard the abuse at home.

A significant proportion of survivors remain silent. Data shows that 41.3 percent of victims did not disclose their experiences to anyone. Among the 58.7 percent who did speak out, most confided in family members, while 41 percent turned to friends and only 13.6 percent sought support from neighbors. Despite the high prevalence of violence, seeking institutional support remains uncommon. A staggering 72.5 percent of women who faced physical and sexual violence never sought assistance. Only 11 percent approached the Royal Bhutan Police, 8.7 percent sought medical help, 7.7 percent approached the court, 7.3 percent sought support from local leaders, and just 4.5 percent turned to women’s organizations such as NCWC and RENEW. The primary reason for not seeking help was fear of bringing shame to their families, cited by 17.7 percent of victims. Meanwhile, 23.1 percent of survivors left their homes at least once due to violence, with nearly half fleeing multiple times. Of those who left, 39.7 percent stated they could no longer endure the abuse, while others left out of fear of being killed or severely injured.

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated GBV risks, with lockdowns trapping women in abusive households while restricting access to essential services. Humanitarian crises and displacement further heightened the likelihood of intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, and sexual exploitation. Experts emphasize the urgent need for targeted interventions, including strengthening legal protections and enforcement, expanding survivor support services, raising public awareness to challenge cultural norms that perpetuate violence, improving economic opportunities for women to reduce financial dependency, and enhancing educational initiatives to foster gender equality from a young age. The initiative to combat GBV has been strengthened by the technical and financial contributions of the United Nations Population Fund, the United Nations Development Programme, and other key stakeholders. However, as long as silence and stigma prevail, the cycle of violence will persist. Addressing GBV requires a collective effort—from policymakers, law enforcement, and civil society to families and communities—to create a safer and more equitable Bhutan for all.