May 6, 2025, Mahendranagar, Kanchanpur – Saathi, with the support of UNFPA, organized a three-day Care for Care Giver training from 4–6 May 2025 in Mahendranagar, Kanchanpur. The training targeted frontline staff from Women Safe Houses/Shelter Homes across Achham, Bajura, Bajhang, Baitadi, Doti, Kailali, and Mahendranagar under the GBVPR II program.
Objectives
The training aimed to:
• Promote self-care awareness
• Equip participants with stress and burnout management strategies
• Build emotional resilience
• Introduce mindfulness and relaxation techniques
Frontline workers were trained to prioritize their emotional and mental well-being. They gained skills to manage and reduce stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout through practices like mindfulness, meditation, and daily relaxation exercises.
Remarks from Program Manager
In her opening remarks, Program Manager Palita Thapa emphasized the importance of self-care for frontline staff. She stated that individuals who support others must also be mindful of their own health and well-being. She underlined that self-care is especially crucial for those engaged in gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response due to the intense emotional demands of the work.
Training Content
Sessions were facilitated by Jamuna Maharjan, a psychosocial counselor and expert in the field with decade long experience in providing trainings. Key topics included:
• Understanding and identifying compassion fatigue and burnout
• Recognizing types and impacts of stress
• Managing vicarious trauma
• Practicing tension and stress-releasing exercises
Participants engaged in self-assessment exercises and stress-reducing activities that helped them recognize how stress manifests physically and emotionally.
Participant Reflections
Participants shared that the training was eye-opening, helping them realize the importance of self-care, which they had often neglected. Many reported relief through the mindfulness and meditation exercises, noting that they previously misattributed physical discomforts to other causes, unaware they were stress-related. The sessions helped deepen their understanding of the mind-body connection.
Legal Awareness Session
A legal session led by Udhab Raj Bhatt, Legal Expert, covered key legal provisions from the Constitution of Nepal, the Criminal Code, and the Civil Code. Topics included:
• Punishments based on the nature of crimes
• Marriage registration requirements
• Fundamental rights of individuals
• Updates on relevant laws and regulations
This session enhanced participants’ legal understanding, equipping them with essential knowledge to support their work in GBV response.
The training proved to be a crucial capacity-building initiative, equipping frontline staff with tools for self-care and legal awareness. It strengthened their ability to maintain mental and emotional well-being, which is essential for sustaining their vital roles in GBV prevention and response.
