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Stakeholders point out necessity to collaborate each other for Gender-based Violence prevention in Nepal

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Kathmandu, September 18, 2017: Experts and stakeholders have pointed out the necessity to follow an integral approach to eliminate Gender-based Violence (GBV) in Nepal.

They had raised the issue amid a special meeting on ‘Creating a Survivor based Response System to mitigate Gender based Violence’ organized by Ujyalo Foundation in collaboration with Australian Aid on September 18, Monday.

The program was participated by individuals from diverse backgrounds such as government, private sector, civil society, and international stakeholders.

Addressing the meeting, Ms. Ms. Kamakshi Rai Yakthumba, Program Manager of Governance and Global Programs at the Australian Embassy, mentioned “Gender equality is central to Australia’s foreign policy and development agenda where addressing violence against women and girls is one of our key priorities. Ending violence against women and girls is one of the three priorities in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Strategy. Violence against women and girls is a pervasive human rights violation that has a profound and devastating impact on the victims, their families, and communities.”

Ms. Yakthumba further shared that violence against women is a breach of their human rights. “It kills, disrupts lives and fosters ongoing fear. Women often get trapped in a vicious cycle of violence from which they cannot break free. This cripples their ability to stand up against their perpetrators and in many cases, weaken access to essential services and legal support. Responding to such violence requires women to access essential and integrated support services. This is fundamental to responding to such violence, whatever the context,” she added.

Ms. Amuda Mishra the Founder and Executive Director of Ujyalo Foundation mentioned, “The plight of the young women and girls in regard to their safety, protection and confidentiality has not been in our hands, where the fear and control has always ruled over our mind. The suppression thus oppressed the issues of violence since time immemorial. The modern era now has to address the pathways whereby these young women and girls can ensure their safety without compromising themselves and their respect and dignity” in her opening remarks welcoming the audience to the meeting.”

She further added that “Creating a survivor-centered response system has been of utmost necessity, thus NiDARR was designed. We believe the feature it has would aid to our young women and girls feel more power in their own hand to ensure safety.”

Addressing the issue on GBV, Mr. Kedarnath Sharma, Chief District Officer (CDO) of Kathmandu emphasized on awaring people who are most likely to be perpetrating the violence about the impact of such behavior so that the Gender-based Violence can be mitigated in an early stage.

Similarly, Ananda Raj Khanal, Director of Nepal Telecommunication Authority, emphasized on using technology to empower and ensure the safety of children, girls and young women.

On the occasion, Ms. Grishma Ojha, Program Officer for NiDARR presented regarding the self-help app tool and the importance of survivor-centered response system to mitigate gender-based violence.

Participants in the event remarked that the meetup was a fruitful gathering of all like-minded in a mission to gear safety especially of women and girls, and to mitigate the violence with the help of a survivor centered response system.