A coalition of seventeen civil society organisations, named the South Asian Movement for Accessing Justice (SAMAJ), has called on South Asian countries to address rampant sexual violence and dismal conviction rates with immediate legal reforms.
SAMAJ, which includes human rights groups from Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, advocates for comprehensive changes to close gaps in existing laws, overhaul flawed criminal justice systems, and enhance support services for survivors.
According to a press release, SAMAJ aims to rectify serious weaknesses in legal frameworks that prevent survivors from accessing justice.
"Many sexual violence laws in the region suffer from inadequate legal definitions that fail to encompass the full spectrum of sexual violence," the statement reads.
Discriminatory penal codes and poor law enforcement further exacerbate the problem, leading to widespread impunity for perpetrators.
The coalition stresses the need for a multi-sectoral approach, urging collaboration between government bodies, civil society organisations, law enforcement, healthcare providers, and the education sector.
This coordinated effort is deemed essential for providing immediate and long-term support to survivors and addressing the root causes of sexual violence.
Despite some progress in legal protections, survivors face significant obstacles when seeking justice, including prolonged delays in investigations, high burdens of proof, and victim-blaming attitudes.
Marginalized communities, particularly Indigenous people, lower caste members, and those with disabilities, encounter even greater challenges due to intersectional discrimination.
"Enabling perpetrators to avoid criminal liability raises the risk of assault for women and girls, as impunity emboldens offenders," warns SAMAJ.
The coalition calls for stronger laws, gender-sensitive criminal justice systems, and survivor-led solutions to dismantle systemic barriers and create inclusive pathways to justice.
Sabin Shrestha, executive director of the Forum for Women, Law and Development (FWLD) in Nepal, emphasises the collective strength of SAMAJ: "Our many voices will resonate louder and as one, bringing about meaningful changes. Our working together is a symbol of optimism, resilience, and an assurance for a safer world ahead."