Four in five LGBTIQ+ respondents in a study conducted by a United Nations body said they experienced at least one form of violence in their lifetime.

The results of the study done by UN Women showed that a substantial majority of the LGBTIQ+ respondents (81 percent) reported being victims or survivors of at least one instance of violence based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics during their lifetime.

Out of 1,181 respondents, 71 percent reported experiencing emotional violence, 46 percent reported physical violence, 46 percent reported sexual violence and 40 percent reported economic violence.

The report entitled "Evidence to action: Addressing violence against LGBTIQ+ people in Nepal" added that the experience of violence is exacerbated by various intersectional factors such as socioeconomic status, disability, and caste/ethnicity.

The report states that LGBTIQ+ communities still struggle to access legal protection, legal gender recognition and marriage equality, along with battling various stigmas and forms of violence despite progressive constitutional advancements.

To mark Pride Month, the national study was launched on Thursday.

Addressing the launch event, Hanaa Singer Hamdy, UN resident coordinator, said Nepal is one of the most progressive countries in South Asia, providing special provisions for LGBTIQ+ rights, but much remains to be done to ensure LGBTIQ+ people can live lives free of discrimination and violence.

“Nepal needs to demonstrate its continued commitment by upholding the legal provisions and translating laws into concrete actions,” she said.

Tuovi Leppänen, head of cooperation at the Embassy of Finland, said the Finnish government is honoured to work with LGBTIQ+ communities.

“It is important we have a safe school environment. We should train teachers and classmates to respect each other irrespective of our gender identity or sexual orientation,” she said.