A young woman’s emotional video describing the harassment she faced on a public vehicle recently sparked widespread discussion on social media. Returning home from college, she said a man seated beside her repeatedly touched and stroked her body. The experience left her devastated.

“I feel like cutting off my breasts,” she said in the video, describing the trauma she suffered after the incident.

She added that she initially failed to realise what was happening. When she eventually confronted the man, he denied any wrongdoing and reacted aggressively. The microbus was crowded, yet none of the passengers intervened. They remained meek spectators.

For many women in Nepal, the incident was painfully familiar.

Women who regularly use public transport say harassment remains a routine part of daily travel in the country. Yet only a small fraction of cases reach the police. Fear of social stigma, lengthy legal procedures and the tendency to blame victims often discourage women from filing complaints.

Chanda Kumari Chaudhary, who has been visually impaired since birth, has lived in Kathmandu for the past five years. She says a disturbing experience on a public vehicle a year ago changed the way she travels. “Even now, remembering that incident frightens me,” she said. “Since that day, I have never travelled alone on a public vehicle.”

Chaudhary recalls travelling by herself and sitting in the seat reserved for people with disabilities. Although she cannot see, she says she can easily sense how someone is touching her.

“A man nearby kept joking that he was also disabled,” she shared. “I thought nothing of it at first. Later he began touching and holding my hand inappropriately. I felt uncomfortable and slapped him twice.”

After Chaudhary informed other passengers about what had happened, the man was forced off the vehicle. “When someone suddenly touches you with bad intentions, you become frightened and confused,” she said. “For a moment, you do not even know how to react.”

Chaudhary, who earns a living selling incense sticks, now avoids travelling without a companion.

Parbati Saud had a similar experience a few months ago while travelling from Baneshwar to Bhaktapur. Sitting quietly and using her phone, she noticed a man repeatedly staring at her. “At first I ignored it, thinking I was imagining things. Then I saw him smiling and making gestures at me,” said Saud.

The situation escalated when the man repeatedly nudged her with his elbow. “I became angry and confronted him,” said Saud. “A short while later, he got off at another stop.”

Only afterwards did she realise that she could have reported the incident to the police.

These are only a few examples of what many women encounter on public transport every day. In recent years, Nepal Police has launched awareness programmes, including the Safety Pin Campaign, aimed at preventing harassment in public spaces and on public vehicles. Yet officials acknowledge that the problem remains widespread.

According to police data, 1,673 people were detained in Kathmandu Valley during the fiscal year 2025-26 on allegations related to various forms of misconduct in public places and on public transport. Among them, four were arrested for physical sexual harassment and three for obscene behaviour. Seventy-two individuals faced formal legal action, while 1,601 were released into the custody of family members. Police say a significant proportion of these incidents occurred on public transport.

Data from fiscal year 2024-25 show even higher figures. A total of 4,133 people were detained in Kathmandu Valley for various forms of public misconduct. Forty-three were arrested for obscene acts, 32 for using abusive and obscene language on public transport, and 16 for physical sexual harassment. Of them, 199 faced prosecution, while 3,943 were released to their families.

According to Superintendent of Police Prabin Dhital, spokesperson for the Kathmandu Valley Police Office, harassment on public vehicles continues despite some improvement.

“If we look purely at the numbers, incidents have declined,” Dhital said. “But women are still being harassed on public transport.”

Women remain disproportionately affected compared with men, he added. Dhital stressed that bystanders must play a more active role in preventing such abuse.

“The biggest problem is society’s tendency to remain silent even when something wrong is happening,” he said. “Victims often ask for help, but other passengers do not respond.”

According to Dhital, blaming the victims further discourages women from reporting incidents. “When women are made to feel that they are somehow responsible, they become afraid to speak openly or seek help,” he said.

Dhital believes surveillance measures could help. CCTV cameras are increasingly being installed on public vehicles, while police are also strengthening public awareness campaigns and online reporting systems. “Many complaints are now filed through online platforms,” Dhital said. “When victims provide videos, photographs or audio recordings, investigations become easier and more effective.”

However, stakeholders caution that official complaints represent only a small portion of the problem. Sociologist Samjhana Wagle says overcrowding, weak public awareness and the tendency to normalise harassment create an environment in which abuse thrives.

“Crowded public vehicles provide opportunities for offenders,” she said. “Victims often feel invisible, and when people dismiss their experiences, it encourages further misconduct.”

The consequences of such harassment can be long-lasting.

Psychiatrist Richa Amatya says harassment in public spaces can leave victims struggling with fear, anxiety, self-blame and social discomfort. “Some victims freeze during the incident and cannot react immediately,” she said. “Only later do they fully process what happened and begin to feel its emotional impact.”

Victim-blaming often worsens the psychological burden. “Many women remain silent because they feel ashamed or fear being judged,” said Amatya. “Some develop anxiety about travelling on public transport, while others repeatedly relive traumatic experiences.”

Legal practitioners argue that Nepal needs stronger and more specific laws to address harassment in public spaces. Advocate Ishwari Paudel says there is no dedicated legal framework specifically targeting harassment of women on public transport.

“Article 38(3) of Constitution of Nepal 2015 guarantees that women shall not be subjected to physical or mental violence or exploitation on any grounds,” said Paudel. The National Penal Code 2017 criminalises sexual harassment under Section 224, carrying penalties of up to three years in prison and a fine of up to Rs30,000. Yet Paudel argues that the absence of specialised legislation often leaves victims struggling to obtain justice.

Legal reform is important, but practical measures are equally necessary, Paudel said. “Public vehicles should not carry passengers beyond their seating capacity, and CCTV cameras should be mandatory on all public transport,” she said. “These steps could significantly reduce harassment.”