Muslim and Madhesi women and girls in Nepal face gender-based violence and discrimination at every stage of their lives. It includes (but is not limited to) sex-selective abortion; differential access to food, education, and medical care; child marriage, dowry; domestic and spousal violence; sexual exploitation and abuse; trafficking; elder abuse; and traditional harmful practices.

As per the 2011 Population Census, marriage among 10–18-year-old girls and boys was most common among the Madhesi Dalits (10.2%), Muslims (9.8%), and Hill Dalits (7.8%). The intersecting factors of socio-cultural norms, socio-political exclusion, literacy, socio-economic status, climate-induced disasters, and, in recent times, COVID-19 impact make marginalized Muslim and Madheshi women in Nepal more vulnerable to gender-based violence. Deep-rooted patriarchal values and a sense of entitlement and control over women lie at the heart of VAWG.

Socio-cultural norms that justify violence and gender inequality perpetuate VAWG and create barriers to the effective implementation of prevention and response services.