October 2, 2024, Mahendranagar, Far Western Province – Saathi, under the GOAL Project supported by AEIN, Luxembourg, successfully organized a two-day workshop aimed at empowering Dalit and Women Ward Members from Shuklaphanta and Krishnapur Municipalities. The event, held from 1 to 2 October, focused on enhancing understanding of the Intersectional Gender Transformative Approach in governance processes.
The workshop aimed to sensitize local representatives to critical Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) issues, intersectionality, and transformative leadership. The training sessions covered a range of topics, including the distinction between sex and gender, the concept of intersectionality, addressing gender needs, exclusion and inclusion, and the transformative approach to leadership and gender mainstreaming.
Ms. Anita Chaudary, a Ward Member from Shuklaphanta Municipality, Ward No-1, highlighted the challenge of meaningful female participation in decision-making, noting that despite the increase in female representatives, their voices often remain marginalized in male-dominated planning processes.
Ms. Ratna Bohora, Ward Member of Krishnapur Municipality, emphasized the importance of developing and implementing GESI-centric policies and empowering women through education and skills. She pointed out that while local governments have not prioritized GESI issues in the past, ongoing efforts to mainstream gender equality, combat discrimination, and address violence will continue.
A total of 40 participants, including Dalit and Ward Members from all wards of Shuklaphanta and Krishnapur Municipalities, attended the workshop, which aimed to strengthen GESI mainstreaming in local governance.
