April 24, 2025, Kanchanpur – Saathi organized a series of community dialogue events in Ward No. 2 of Krishnapur Municipality on 21st, 23rd, and 24th April 2025, aiming to foster community-led efforts to address and prevent gender-based violence (GBV) through awareness, dialogue, and collaboration.
The dialogues brought together 74 community residents, including local leaders, to openly discuss the root causes of GBV and the harmful gender stereotypes that perpetuate violence and discrimination. Participants were also introduced to Saathi’s ongoing initiatives in the district, including the Saathi Information Center and the range of services available for survivors of GBV.
The sessions were conducted as part of the GOAL Project (Generating Ownership, Awareness, and Liberty: From Harmful Gender Stereotypes and SGBV), implemented under the auspices of Aide à l’Enfance de l’Inde et du Népal (AEIN), Luxembourg. Through this project, Saathi seeks to strengthen community understanding of GBV, enhance accountability, and promote gender equality at the local level.
During the dialogues, emphasis was placed on identifying various forms of GBV, recognizing early signs of violence, and understanding available referral mechanisms to support survivors. The discussions highlighted the importance of community vigilance and proactive response to address GBV.
Basant Rana, a participant from Ward No. 2, shared, “I used to think that gender-based violence only meant a husband beating his wife, but through this session, I learned that there are many different forms and causes of violence.”
Similarly, Jyoti Devi Dagaura reflected, “This session gave me the opportunity to understand where I can go and what I can do if violence happens to me or someone I know.”
By creating safe spaces for dialogue, these events empowered individuals to challenge existing norms, share personal experiences, and commit to building safer, more equitable communities. Through continuous local engagement, Saathi is working to enhance community responsibility in preventing GBV and supporting affected individuals.
