For some women in Bhutan, home is not a safe place

This blog is part of a series of discussions and activities that the World Bank South Asia Social Development team is organizing to mark the 16 Days of Activism, a worldwide campaign to eliminate gender-based violence (GBV).

Home should be a haven—a place to live and create joyful memories with our families.

Not so for Sonam*. When Bhutan went into lockdown after COVID-19 hit, the young mother of two sought support from the authorities to find shelter.

It's been a difficult journey. Sonam, her two children, and 41 other women, including girls, now reside in the Gawailing Happy Home, a 24/7 residential care facility for women and children who are domestic and gender-based violence survivors. The place also welcomes children and young adults without any resources, who are vulnerable to crime, assault, and rape, and need protection, food, and shelter.

For some women in Bhutan, COVID-19 has shown that their home is a dangerous place to be . The pandemic has exacerbated economic pressures and worsened tensions at home, often leading to increased violence against women and girls. 

Gender-based violence (GBV) against women and girls is one of Bhutan's most significant social issues today, impacting health, well-being, productivity, and overall development  (source: kuenselonline).

A 2017 study on violence against women and girls in the country revealed that more than 40 percent of the 298 women surveyed who had experienced physical or sexual partner violence never told anyone or reported the incident.  Of these women, less than five percent sought help from women support groups and organizations.

Gender-based violence (GBV) against women and girls is one of Bhutan's most significant social issues today, impacting health, well-being, productivity, and overall development

The National Commission for Women and Children (NCWC), a leading organization that promotes and protects women and children's rights in Bhutan, handles an average of five daily women and child abuse cases through its toll-free helpline or as walk-in services.

Bhutan's response to the pandemic's health and social impacts has been quick and commendable. At the same time, cases of GBV have increased, according to Respect, Educate, Nurture, and Empower Women (RENEW), a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering women and children in Bhutan.  The civil society organization recorded a total of 407 GBV cases during the pandemic period alone.

A small country nestled in the eastern Himalayas between China and India, Bhutan boasts one of the smallest but fastest-growing economies in the world. It has been a success story in poverty reduction.

Despite this remarkable economic progress, disparities between women and men persist. While Bhutan's law grants men and women equal rights, traditional perceptions about gender roles are still a significant barrier to achieving gender parity. 

The Gross National Happiness Commission (GNHC), the Royal Government of Bhutan's planning commission, has been instrumental in initiating and coordinating action on gender equality issues. The government has redoubled efforts to bring the spirit of Gross National Happiness to all Bhutanese through gender-responsive approaches.   Every policy and project is assessed using a GNH Policy Screening Tool that includes gender equality as a key criterion.

The government has redoubled efforts to bring the spirit of Gross National Happiness to all Bhutanese through gender-responsive approaches

Further, a World Bank-supported National Gender Equality Policy was developed in early 2020  to provide a national policy directive to promote gender equality and address gender gaps and inequalities, taking into account women's particular needs.

Subsequently, a Standard Operating Procedures for Gender-Based Violence prevention and response was launched to provide clear guidance on GBV prevention and mitigation for organizations and individuals working on GBV. A capacity-building support to all GBV actors in all 20 Districts and four Municipalities or Thromdes across Bhutan was also completed.  

The Royal Government of Bhutan has demonstrated its commitment to supporting and protecting the rights of every woman and child in the country . As it charts its unique development path, the small Himalayan country now needs to ensure that all its women and girls are safe and free of violence. 

* Name has been changed to protect real identity