May 2, 2024, Dhangadhi, Sudurpaschim Province – Saathi and CWAD jointly organised a workshop aimed at capacitating local level duty bearers on responding Sexual and Gender Based Violence more effectively. The event saw active participation of Judicial Committee Members and ward representatives from Krishnapur Municipality – 2, and Shuklaphanta Municipality – 11.
The workshop was facilitated by Prof. Dr. Shashi Adhikary and Dr. Anita Shrestha. The sessions covered crucial topics like local governance process, rules and policies related to gender equality as well as legal framework in responding sexual and gender based violence. The participants highlighted the challenges of responding SGBV that includes social stigma, low level of community awareness, patriarchal gender stereotypes and mindsets as well as paucity of quality services for gender based violence survivors.
Saathi’s ongoing initiative, the Generating Ownership Awareness & Liberation (GOAL): From Harmful Gender Stereotypes and SGBV program, supported by AEIN Luxembourg, has been instrumental in this endeavor. This intervention aims to foster a culture of accountability among local and provincial duty bearers towards addressing SGBV with increased knowledge and skills of duty bearer’s regarding gender mainstreaming, gender responsiveness and transformative actions against SGBV.
