Abstract
Patriarchy in Nepal continues to shape women’s lives through deeply rooted cultural practices that normalize suffering, silence, and exclusion. Despite constitutional guarantees of equality, women, particularly in rural areas, face multiple forms of gender-based violence, including child marriage, ritualized widowhood, and oppressive customs such as Sati. This study examines how women’s suffering is represented in two influential Nepali cultural texts: Amar Neupane’s novel Seto Dharti [The White Earth] and Yadav Kumar Bhattarai’s film Jhola [Bag]. Guided by radical feminist theory, the study explores how both works critique patriarchal traditions that deny women autonomy and perpetuate systemic violence. Seto Dharti follows the life of a child bride whose silent endurance as a widow reflects the broader marginalization of women in Nepali society. Jhola, by contrast, dramatizes the practice of Sati, exposing how women’s bodies and choices were historically controlled through the religious and cultural legitimization of violence. Using qualitative textual and cinematic analysis, this study identifies recurring themes of silencing, ritual exploitation, and the institutionalization of women’s suffering. The findings show that both texts not only reveal the harsh realities of patriarchal violence but also serve as a medium for social critique, encouraging audiences to question oppressive traditions. Ultimately, the study highlights the role of cultural narratives in advocating for gender justice and contributing to social transformation in Nepal.