27th April 2026
I Am SAMAJ: Seejan Lamichhane, Grants Officer, Visible Impact, Nepal
8 min read
27th April 2026
8 mins
I Am SAMAJ: Seejan Lamichhane, Grants Officer, Visible Impact, Nepal
The South Asian Movement for Accessing Justice (SAMAJ) is a regional coalition of organisations working together to strengthen access to justice for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence across South Asia. The word SAMAJ, meaning “society” in several South Asian languages, reflects our collective vision: a more just, inclusive, and accountable region for all.
The #IAmSAMAJ series brings this vision to life by centring the voices of those driving change on the ground. Through personal reflections and lived experience, the series spotlights youth advocates from across the region who are challenging systems, confronting stigma, and transforming access to justice in their own contexts.
Strong laws alone are not enough. We must work to transform the very heart of our societies by instilling the values of consent and respect in every young person we reach.
Seejan is a youth advocate from Nepal working on ending sexual and gender-based violence through youth engagement, policy awareness, and community-driven advocacy.
“From a youth advocacy perspective, Nepal is currently a ‘not so safe country for girls,’ where sexual violence is a critical and growing problem. Data reveals a grim reality: in the fiscal year 2023–24 alone, 2,507 cases were reported, averaging seven to eight cases per day, with victims most frequently aged between 11 and 14 years. Alarmingly, 78.5% of accused offenders are acquaintances of the victims. Beyond physical violence, there is a rising trend of online sexual exploitation, with surveys indicating that over 13% of internet-using school children have been victims of online abuse. The problem is defined by a culture of silence and impunity rooted in patriarchal norms where boys are socialized to be dominant and girls to be subservient.”
“Survivors in our community face a multi-layered wall of barriers:
Legal: The statute of limitations (time limits) for reporting rape is a major hurdle. Currently, the three-year limit for minors and two-year limit for others often expire before a survivor is emotionally or socially able to come forward. Additionally, legal definitions of rape are not gender-neutral, failing to protect boys or gender minorities.
Social and Cultural: Intense social stigma and pressure to ‘settle’ cases outside the court system are common. A persistent culture of victim-blaming often makes survivors feel responsible for the crime committed against them.
Institutional: The justice process is often long and re-traumatizing, and authorities frequently lack victim-friendly approaches. Furthermore, the privacy of survivors is often violated by media outlets that unveil personal details, leading to further social backlash.”
Youth must be meaningfully engaged
For Seejan, meaningful youth engagement is not symbolic, it is essential.
“Spaces for Involvement: Youth must be at the table for legal reform, ensuring that definitions of consent and rape are inclusive and modern. We need youth involved in grassroots organizing to challenge patriarchal norms and in policy development to integrate comprehensive digital safety and sexual education into school curricula.
Currently, despite much ‘talk’ about equality, the actual situation for girls remains largely unchanged. Engagement is often tokenistic if it doesn’t lead to the actual implementation of concepts like comprehensive sexuality education in the education system. Also, actions like regulation of internet and social media where violences against young girls are increasing and incorporation of digital safety in curriculum aren’t seen as much. So, tokenism is a serious issue that existing models of youth engagement is going through.
If given the chance, I would use youth power to dismantle the culture of silence through digital activism and peer-led safety programs. We can use our fluency with technology to advocate for digital literacy and create safer online space.”
“My work is sparked and shaped by the news of victims of sexual violence, including girls of every age, becoming the headlines every two months, and yet being denied their basic rights to justice. The survivors of sexual violence who dare to talk are victim-blamed, pressured, and silenced. In recent days, incidents of online abuses and violence from partners and even strangers have fueled my work on educating, empowering, and equipping the youths to identify the early signs of these violences and protect themselves.
I am motivated by recent milestones, such as having 35 percent women parliamentarians, which gives us a political platform to challenge patriarchal norms in governance. With this parliament with considerably large participation of youth and women, I have a hope that survivors or victims of violence who have been denied justice before, will be treated well without the influence of power or other factors to save the perpetrators.
To strengthen our work, we need comprehensive sexual education that teaches consent from a young age. We also need digital safety literacy to protect ourselves and our peers from the emerging threat of online intimate partner violence. In addition, access to hands-on contact information of Nepal Police, Cyber Crime department and other organizations who support the survivors of sexual violences should be strengthened in all school, colleges and communities.”
“ The government must repeal the statute of limitations for sexual violence to ensure survivors can seek justice at any time. Laws must be amended to be gender-neutral and to strictly define ‘unwelcome’ sexual nature rather than relying on the perpetrator’s ‘motive’.
Service and Policy Changes – Workplace sexual harassment cases should be handled by the judiciary rather than administrative bodies. We need to decentralize the Cyber Bureau so that survivors outside Kathmandu can report crimes locally and confidentially. Furthermore, penalties for marital rape must be increased to be on par with other forms of rape to end the sense of impunity in intimate settings.”
Speaking about youth networks and regional collaboration, Seejan shares:
“Youth networks, coalitions, and solidarity movements play a pivotal role in driving social change. They serve as powerful platforms for demanding accountability from authorities and amplifying the voices of marginalized groups. When diverse individuals unite in these networks to call for justice, their collective action generates public pressure that institutions and policymakers find difficult to ignore.
Regional collaboration, like SAMAJ, further strengthens these efforts. Issues such as sexual violence are often rooted in deeply entrenched patriarchal norms and a lack of respect for bodily autonomy, which can manifest differently across regions due to shared cultures, beliefs, and traditions. For instance, countries like Nepal, India, and Bangladesh encounter similar challenges in safeguarding women’s rights and ensuring justice for survivors, influenced by societal factors unique to their region. There are numerous global examples where regional and international solidarity has led to meaningful progress. Ultimately, these collaborations enhance the effectiveness and reach of advocacy, making systemic change more achievable.”
“Strong laws alone are not enough. We must work to transform the very heart of our societies by instilling the values of consent and respect in every young person we reach.
Stand firmly against victim-blaming, lead with empathy for survivors, and continue pushing for a future where girls, boys, and every gender can live free from fear.”
#IAmSAMAJ and I want to continue pushing for a future where every person can live free from fear.