Creating Violence Free Homes and Societies
Overview
“Creating Violence Free Homes and Societies” is a continuation of the “Strengthening Support for Prevention of Domestic Violence Against Women and Girls” program, funded by FJS.
Our program’s main objective is to foster movement building against domestic violence in order to create safer homes and societies for women and girls, especially single women, Dalit women, and human rights defenders, at the family, interpersonal, and societal levels. We believe these objectives are made possible by the following key elements and strategies:
- Increasing awareness raising efforts;
- Strengthening advocacy programs;
- Empowering and building confidence in women and girls especially those most affected by the Gorkha Earthquake 2015 in Sindupalchowk District;
- Strengthening and mobilizing the National Network Against Domestic Violence (NNADV) in order to fortify alliances, advocate with decision makers, and groom collective leadership;
- Creating alliances with new stakeholders to amplify the voice against domestic violence;
- Changing common perceptions of targeted social norms;
- Changing patriarchal norms to create change at the relationship and family level;
- Strengthening Governance and Programmatic Monitoring and Evaluation;
- The primary target beneficiaries of this program are women and girl victims of gender based violence. However, the program aims to reach a larger constituency throughout the country through national level advocacy, awareness raising, and movement building.
Context
In Nepal, there currently exist laws, policy, and normative frameworks that address violence against women and girls. However, the problem lies in the lacking implementation of these frameworks due to minimal political will, low institutional capacity and conservative ideologies. Moreover, there are no effective mechanisms to protect women and girls from violence or provide comprehensive services to survivors. In this context, cultivating positive change in family relations at the interpersonal and household levels will have further reaching effects than lobbying for implementation of current institutionalized policies
In addition, an alarmingly high number of sexual violence incidents has become a grave concern. As of late, there has been a steep increase in the number of sexual violence cases reported, including rape of minors.
Lastly, our program seeks to address issues that have presented themselves in the context of the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake. As girls of earthquake affected areas are extremely vulnerable to trafficking, illegal migration, cyber violence and other forms of violence in the post-earthquake period, the program aims to address violence against this specific demographic.
Methodology and Key Programs
In light of the above context, the “Creating Violence Free Homes and Societies” program is focused on raising awareness of harmful cultural practices and taboos in order to change deep rooted mind-sets.
A key strategy of the program is to critically engage with government entities at the local and national level to create strengthened accountability and lasting sustainability of programs, as well as to build synergy between Saathi’s other programs to maximize the impact of the program.
To target the increasing number of reported sexual violence cases, the program further focuses on raising awareness and conducting advocacy against sexual violence. Due to stigma, impunity, and the tendency of victims to turn hostile, it is often very difficult to acquire justice in such cases so our program aims to do this through creating changes at the ground level.
Furthermore, the program also aims to empower and sensitize adolescent girls in Sindhupalchowk to normalize effects of the 2015 earthquake. To empower girls vulnerable to many forms of violence in the post-earthquake period, the program aims to provide them with training on life skills, savings and credit, and how to budget for future planning.
One key project implemented through FJS is the “Teej Talks”, a set of talks held on the traditionally patriarchal holiday of Teej. By “tweaking traditional tales” and bringing positive messages to empower young girls, the “Teej Talks” are used as a sharing platform for “Tales of Empowerment Equality and Joy”. During the event, men and women panellists speak about the negative impact of harmful traditions that undermine the dignity of women related to menstruation and rigid rituals. Saathi gives continuity to Teej Talks and takes it to the districts as well.
Achievements
Since the implementation of the “Creating Violence Free Homes and Societies” program in January 2017, we have realized the following achievements:
- The program has reached 3888 school students. Of these, 2274 female students were oriented on various GBV (Gender Based Violence) and DV(Domestic Violence) related issues. They were educated on their legal rights and encouraged to speak against discrimination and exploitation. Complaint mechanisms were established and complaint boxes set up in many schools to allow students to safely report their issues and concerns;
- During the 16 Days Campaign, over 1000 students were educated on sexual violence issues;
- Out of 1300 identified cases of GBV, 635 of these were reported through a formal justice mechanism. Among these, 227 [kd1] women were satisfied with the way their case was handled;
- Temporary logistical/accommodation support was provided to 60 GBV survivors through the shelter homes run by Saathi in three districts;
- 95 local elected leaders (over 70% women including some from marginalized communities) were equipped with the skills and knowledge on engendered governance particularly focusing on “Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment”;
- 4701 beneficiaries from our project area reported increased knowledge and understanding on GBV;
- 5265 community people stated that they are now aware of at least one service that is available to people who face violence;
- 51 groups (men, women, mentor groups, adolescent girls) were formed, mobilized, and engaged to address GBV at the community level.