Nepal’s civil war ended in 2006, but not for Devi. Like many others, she was subjected to sexual violence during the war. Now, she is fighting the country’s authorities’ attempts to erase this shameful part of the civil war’s history.
In 1997, during Nepal’s decade-long civil war that killed around 15,000 people, 17-year-old Devi Khadka was accused of being a rebel. She was arrested, and while in custody, she was tortured and raped.
Now, almost two decades later, she is travelling around the country listening to other survivors of sexual violence. As Nepal’s leaders try to bury the shameful truth of wartime rape, Devi decides she can no longer remain silent.
She fights for recognition and reparations for the war crimes committed against her and other women. But her hip-hop-loving daughter would rather she be a mum.
‘Devi’ is a powerful documentary film made by Subina Shrestha. The film won ‘The Edge of Impact’ award at the Doc Edge festival in New Zealand in 2024.
The film was screened at the Human International Documentary Film Festival in Oslo.
Post-Screening Panel Discussion
After the screening of ‘Devi’ on 14 March, a panel discussion on justice, mental health and rehabilitation for women exposed to sexualised violence during the civil war in Nepal followed.
In August 2024, the Nepalese government passed a new law on war-related sexualised violence, an important milestone in the work for justice. For the first time, the state has officially recognised the abuses suffered by women during the war and opened up for historical cases of rape and sexual violence to be dealt with by the courts.
Since the law was passed, thousands of women have come forward to tell their stories and demand justice, compensation and the right to live with dignity.
The panel shed light on the need for truth, justice and reparation for survivors of sexualised violence in war.
Nora Sveaass from Mental Health and Human Rights Info (MHHRI) shed light on the psychological impact of sexualised violence in war and the importance of rehabilitation to ensure justice and healing.
Ida Oleanna Hagen from FORUT highlighted the importance of supporting survivors in telling their stories and how their voices can shape justice and reparation in a post-conflict context.
Healing such trauma requires a process of reconciliation. Reconciliation requires that political responsibility be taken. And that survivors must be helped and met with the respect they deserve.
Ida Oleanna Hagen
Magnus Holtfodt from the LO International Department shared how women’s rights and the labour perspective in this context are important for building peace.
The panel discussion reflected on the broader consequences of war-related sexualised violence, the need for a survivor-centred approach to justice and the collective responsibility to support those affected.
FORUT believes we can work towards justice, healing and lasting peace through recognition, accountability and comprehensive rehabilitation, including mental health support.
The event is a collaboration between the HUMAN International Documentary Film Festival, Mental Health and Human Rights Info (MHHRI), FORUT and the International Department of Landsorganisasjonen i Norge (LO).
Photo Credit: Elisabeth Langdal. From left to right: Magnus Holfodt, adviser at the International Department of
LO, Ida Oleanna Hagen of FORUT and Nora Sveaass, Chairperson of MHRRI.
