January 21, 2024, Kanchanpur: Saathi organized project inception meeting in Shuklaphanta Municipality of Kanchanpur district on January 21. The project aims to address SGBV and break gender stereotypes through policy advocacy, community sensitization, youth mobilization and survivor support initiatives. The project is being implemented under the auspices of AEIN Luxembourg. The project covers Shuklaphanta and Krishnapur Municipality. The project inception meeting was attended by 60 people including Mayor, Deputy Mayor, ward Chair, ward members along with representatives from local community based organisations, right activist, media person and Nepal Police.
Speaking in the program Mayor of Shuklaphanta Municipality, Rana Bahadur Mahara said that beside SGBV the project also need to focus on drug-related issues as it also causes violence against women and girls.
Dropadi Rana, Deputy Head of Krishnapur Municipality, termed the project as very much relevant as women and girls faces discrimination and violence and have little support for them to report or to access to justice against any injustice they are targeted to.
Kalpana Kumari Joshi (Pant), Deputy Head of Shuklaphanta Municipality highlighted the need of accommodating the issues of single women and children who are faced with different forms of violence.
Sher Bahadur Saud, Ward Chairman of Shuklaphanta Municipality 11, emphasized awareness programs to counteract violence associated with harmful traditional practices.
Arjun Saud, Ward Chairman of Krishnapur Municipality Ward No. 2, stressed the need to empower women affected by violence enhancing their skills through income-generating programs.
Anup Nasnani, Manager of the project express his commitment to enhance coordination with local government in implementing the intervention. “We will fulfill all the necessary obligations such as regular reporting, coordination and cooperation with the local government and other stakeholders in addressing SGBV,” he stated.
Saathi had conducted a baseline survey to design this project accommodating the local needs and requirements in mobilizing community against Sexual and gender Based Violence. The project, set to run from January 1, 2024, to December 21, 2026
