December 17, 2024 | Jhalari, Shuklaphanta Municipality – Under its Generating Ownership Awareness & Liberation (GOAL) program, implemented in collaboration with AEIN (Aide à l’Enfance de l’Inde et du Népal), Saathi organized a consultative meeting with key stakeholders to address GBV in Jhalari, Shuklaphanta Municipality. The event shared the interventions implemented by Saathi during 2024 and facilitated coordination and collaboration among the stakeholders to ensure better prevention and response against GBV.
Key Highlights:
Sharing Shelter Home Services and Challenges: The status of service delivery at the shelter-in-charge from Mahendranagar presented both the successes and challenges faced while supporting survivors of GBV. The representatives informed the participants about the services available for survivors from the One-Stop Crisis Management Center, Mahendranagar, focusing on their responsibilities for immediate care and legal support.
GOAL Project Interventions: Parbati Bhandari from Saathi provided an extensive update regarding the progress situation of the GOAL project. She has enumerated major interventions which have targeted schools, communities, local governments, adolescents, civil society, and media. The activities were aimed at creating awareness, building collaboration, and increasing ownership by the stakeholders in the struggle against GBV. She strongly asserted that leadership of the local government must be active and responsive toward initiatives on the prevention and management of GBV through a system of coordination.
Role of Law Enforcement: Area Police Office Chief Jhalak Prasad Sharma assured that the police were committed to working in collaboration with other agencies. He elaborated on the processes regarding the handling of GBV cases and showed how police extend much-needed support for survivors in collaboration with the OCMC.
Support from Local Governments: The Ward Chairs from Krishnapur and Shuklaphanta Municipalities appreciated the support given through the GOAL project. Arjun Saud, Ward Chair of Ward No. 2, Krishnapur Municipality, shared an example of successful collaboration with Saathi in organizing self-defense training for adolescents. He appreciated the efforts of Saathi in facilitating legal and livelihood support for GBV survivors.
The deputy mayors from Krishnapur and Shuklaphanta Municipalities reiterated that any intervention should uplift the vulnerable people and survivors of GBV, and agencies must have greater focus and collaboration for effective results.
Closing Remarks: The Chief Guest and Chair of Shuklaphanta Municipality underlined the necessity of result-oriented efforts in combating GBV. He urged all stakeholders to collaborate closely with the Judicial Committee and the Municipality for effective interventions on issues related to the safety and wellbeing of women and children.
Key Outcomes:
The meeting was utilized as an opportunity for stakeholders to share information regarding project interventions and strengthen collaboration in building gender equality through the prevention of and response to GBV. A total of 37 participants, including Nepal Police, OCMC, civil society organizations, GBV Nigrani groups, Women Development sections of the Municipality, and the media, were present during the event.
The meeting committed Saathi to continued striving toward bringing about a more equal and safer world by closely liaising with relevant stakeholders at all levels of intervention in dealing with GBV.
