Nepal, April 1 -- Nepal has failed its women, particularly the survivors of conflict-related sexual violence (CSRV). The decade-long Maoist insurgency (1996-2006) was a nightmare for many women and young girls who were held captive for months and repeatedly raped, tortured, forced into marriage, enslaved and arbitrarily arrested by the military, police and the Maoists. Estimates suggest that the number of CRSVs could be up to 2,000, but only over 300 cases have been reported at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The government, however, has been indifferent to their suffering and has yet to provide them with special programmes or relief. CSRV survivors are not fully recognised as conflict victims. After the Comprehensive Peace Acco...