This study explores the Chivalry Hypothesis to understand the unexplored realm of female criminality within the Nepalese Criminal Justice System. The research employs a longitudinal quantitative research methodology relying on secondary data collected from official publications and reports of Nepalese institutions such as the Department of Prison Management (DOPM), Nepal Kanoon Patrika (NKP), and the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB). A Chi-square test of independence is used to assess the association between gender and sentencing outcome. The findings reveal that the application of the Chivalry Hypothesis varies across different stages of the criminal justice system (arrest, prosecution, conviction, and sentencing) and offense types. The significant gender disparities are evident in the wide gap between male and female arrest rates, a low number of criminal cases involving female offenders, and the small proportion of the female prison population. The research shows the selective application of the Chivalry Hypothesis to sentencing in Homicide cases only. In the context of the conviction rate, the research finds no evidence of leniency toward the female perpetrators. The findings provide a foundation for further studies on female criminality in Nepal and recommend further research and monitoring mechanisms to assess the application of the Chivalry Hypothesis within the Nepalese Criminal Justice System.
Ashma Pradhan (Thu,) studied this question.