June 1, 2025, Bajura – Saathi conducted a monitoring and capacity-building visit to the Bajura Safe House under the GBVPR II Program, supported by UNFPA. The visit aimed to assess shelter operations, build staff capacity, and engage stakeholders to strengthen services for gender-based violence (GBV) survivors. The team included Mr. Santosh Pokharel, Ms. Palita Thapa, Mr. Devendra Basnet, and Mr. Khadga Oli.
Using the Quality Improvement Tool, the team assessed infrastructure, safety measures, documentation, and psychosocial services. While the shelter was found to be functioning satisfactorily, gaps such as poor documentation practices and the lack of a fire extinguisher were noted. Follow-up actions will be coordinated with local authorities.
Discussions with beneficiaries highlighted challenges like lack of legal identity documents, including birth and citizenship certificates. A training session titled “Gender-Based Violence: Attitudes and Perceptions” was held for shelter staff, focusing on survivor-centered, trauma-informed care and unconscious bias. Staff responded positively and pledged to apply the learning in their work.
A meeting with the Safe House Management Committee—attended by the DCC Chief, Women Development Officer, and other stakeholders—focused on improving coordination, addressing social pressures for forced reconciliation, securing legal documents for survivors, and relocating the shelter to a new facility by July 2025. Laptops and printers were handed over to the DCC to support administrative functions.
Moving forward, Saathi will support procurement of safety equipment, facilitate access to legal documentation, enhance stakeholder coordination, and continue mentoring staff. A detailed action plan will be developed to monitor implementation of the agreed initiatives.
Saathi remains committed to strengthening the Bajura Safe House and ensuring comprehensive, survivor-centered support for GBV survivors.
