means to prevent her from inheriting her husband's property. A significant number of victims are poor Dalit women. Witch-doctors play a key role in providing an authoritative accusation against the targeted victim in order to rouse the whole community to participate in the violence. It has been suggested that witch-hunts serve to discipline all women, preventing them from asserting their rights. There is social stigma associated with reporting violence, and normalisation of violence as a way of life. The police are more likely to suggest reconciliation and altogether reject a complaint. Almost all perpetrators go unpunished unless there is a death, and victims are left without any remedial measures. Prevalence Nepal is featured prominently in media reports on witch-hunts. INSEC reported 52 incidents of witch-hunt related violence against women in 2012, 69 in 2013 and 89 in 2014. According to a study by UNFPA Nepal, 16% of the respondents in Nepal said it was all right to blame a woman as a witch. Efforts to combat the problem The government of Nepal, especially the Council of Ministers' Gender Empowerment Coordination Unit (GECU) actively seeks to combat the issues related to witch-hunts in Nepal, in collaboration with other ministries and National Women's Commission (NWC). There are some NGOs that provide relief to victims as well, but their effectiveness is questionable. A shelter has been set up in Kathmandu for the victims of witch-hunts. Women's Rehabilitation Center (WOREC) and Women's Foundation of Nepal (WFN) are two prominent organisations working with victims of witch-hunt–related violence. Television programs, street, and stage plays have been created and performed by various artists and social organisations to spread awareness about the issue. Legal status The outdated Muluki Ain provision, in Miscellaneous section 10(B), stipulated a fine ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000 and jail-time ranging from three months to two years for violence committed by accusing someone of witchcraft. The Anti-Witchcraft Act (2014) was specifically enacted to curb violence based on accusations of witchcraft, by introducing stringent measures. It stipulated fines not exceeding Rs 100,000 and up to 10 years in jail. In cases where the accusation was levelled based on the verdicts of tantriks, or witch-doctors, the penalties were Rs 70,000 in fines and 7 years of jail. In addition, slandering the family members of the victim could incur fines of up to Rs 30,000 and up to three years of jail. If the perpetrator