Violence against women in politics is rampant in South Asia due to insufficient implementation of laws and lack of support from police and judiciary, according to a recent study.
"The insufficient implementation of laws, lack of support from police and judiciary, low awareness about politics and overall decline in moral values are the major reasons for violence against women in politics," Centre for Social Research and UN Women said today.
CSR and UN Women, which conducted the study named 'Violence against Women in Politics', said in a press release here that while the percentage of female voters and women candidates fielded by political parties has increased in all three countries, the percentage of female representatives in national bodies has decreased.
The study was conducted in India, Nepal and Pakistan and analyses incidents of violence that occurred from 2003 to 2013.
It was conducted to address the nature, extent and reasons for violence that inhibits women's political participation.
Around 800 respondents, including election commission officials, police, contestants and families in urban and rural areas were interviewed, it said.
The study has also found that more than 60 per cent of women do not participate in politics due to fear of violence.
"Almost 90 per cent of women in these countries feel that violence breaks their resolve to join politics, said Dr Rebecca Reichmann Tavares, Representative, UN Women's Office for India, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka.
"From our comprehensive review of laws on violence against women, it is clear that none of the three countries has legislation that deals strictly with offenders to prevent violence against women in politics," she said.
"We know that where laws are in place, prevalence tends to be lower and fewer people think that violence against women in justifiable," Tavares said.
Except for a few chosen female politicians, most of the elected female representatives have a limited or marginal role in important discussions within their political party, the study said.
