KATHMANDU: General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Rev Martin Junge met with the Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens Tham Maya Thapa, on September 12.

Rev Junge was accompanied by Rev Philip Lok Oi Peng, Area Secretary for Asia Department for Mission and Development; Allan Calma, Regional Programme Coordinator; Prabin Manandhar, Country Director, LWF Nepal; and Rev Joseph Soren, Chairperson, Nepal Evalengical Lutheran Church, according to a press statement issued in this regard.

Minister Thapa appreciated LWF for its humanitarian and development assistance to Nepal and encouraged the continuance of such work. She said, “We work closely with NGOs, INGOs and monitor them. The Ministry highly values the works done by LWF. I strongly believe INGOs coordinate and complement the efforts of the government. Such collaboration with INGOs has supported the Government of Nepal to tackle various social problems that are still rampant in the country, mostly related to gender inequality and gender based violence.”

She further added, “Nepal is a country where women are still oppressed; various social issues related to caste, gender, economic status have been a hindrance in their development. The interventions and programmes of LWF Nepal has contributed in their empowerment. LWF Nepal should continue supporting the government's efforts towards inclusive development focusing on the most marginalised people.”

Rev Junge congratulated the Government of Nepal for successful restructuring of the government. He thanked the Ministry for cooperation and coordination with different INGOs in Nepal. Explaining his purpose of visit, Rev Junge further appreciated the positive collaboration of LWF with different levels of government. He said, “LWF has committed to support government’s efforts towards ensuring the well-being of the population, especially women, children, senior citizens, refugees, disaster-affected people, internally displaced people and the host communities.”

Country Director LWF Nepal, Prabin Manandhar said, “In the changed federal government context, LWF Nepal will work closely with local and provincial governments, and local civil society organisations. The support provided by government is appreciable and we hope it strengthens even more in the future.”

Rev Junge will be in Nepal till September 19, 2018 and will be meeting high level government dignitaries, government officials, representatives of humanitarian and development organisations, implementing partners, community people, journalists and other stakeholders, as mentioned in the statement.

The key elements of the visit are to watch the activities conducted by LWF Nepal closely and to maintain a positive relationship with the government and other concerned stakeholders.

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