Kathmandu, July 1 -- Sapana Tamang (name changed) of Makawanpur came to Kathmandu a decade ago in search of work and a better life. She found a job at a carpet factory and, for a while, life unfolded as she had hoped. She earned an income, enjoyed her independence and regularly sent money home to support her family.

But her life changed abruptly after she became the target of a male co-worker.

He first proposed a romantic relationship, which she rejected. He later asked her to marry him, and she refused again. According to Tamang, those repeated rejections were followed by months of physical and psychological abuse.

"One day, as I was trying to run away, he poured kerosene over my body," she recalled. "Then I caught fire. I don't know ...