Krishnapur, November 23, 2025 — Saathi, under the GOAL project supported by AEIN Luxembourg, in coordination with Krishnapur Municipality, organized a comprehensive consultation to support the drafting of the municipality’s Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) policy. The session aimed to identify local priorities, gather stakeholder feedback, and strengthen shared understanding of GESI principles among municipal representatives and community actors.
Facilitator and advocate Jhankar Kunwar emphasized the critical importance of a robust GESI policy, noting its role in ensuring the rights and needs of excluded and disadvantaged groups. He highlighted that the policy must address the concerns of conflict victims, individuals with psychosocial challenges, GBV survivors, and LGBTIQ individuals—groups that remain at heightened risk of marginalization.
Participants collectively acknowledged the urgency of completing the GESI policy, recognizing its value for inclusive planning, equitable service delivery, and systematic integration of GESI across municipal functions.
Ward Chair Tekraj Pandey reiterated that the municipality holds primary responsibility for formulating the policy and called for timely action. Ward Chair Mohan Basnet expressed full commitment to supporting the creation of a contextual, practical, and actionable GESI framework.
Deputy Mayor Ms. Dropati Rana encouraged active engagement from all stakeholders, noting that while the policy drafting process has begun, progress has been slower than expected. She called on the Women Development Section, Judicial Committee, thematic committees, and municipal staff to share constructive inputs to ensure the policy is relevant, inclusive, and effective.
Chaired by Mayor Mr. Hemraj Ojha, the consultation brought together 42 participants representing ward offices, municipal thematic sections, and organizations working for women, children, and vulnerable populations.
Way Forward
- Finalize the GESI policy draft incorporating comprehensive stakeholder feedback.
- Ensure meaningful inclusion of excluded groups such as conflict victims, individuals with psychosocial issues, GBV survivors, and LGBTIQ individuals.
- Strengthen coordination among municipal sections, thematic committees, and stakeholders to refine the policy.
- Proceed with timely municipal endorsement to ensure effective implementation.
The consultation marked a significant step toward establishing a strong municipal GESI framework that promotes equitable development and ensures no community member is left behind.
