Kathmandu, June 6:

Representatives of the Civil Society today said issues like gender balance, corruption control, climate change, forced migration and refugee problem should be raised during the three-

day People’s SAARC. The event is slated to begin in Colombo on July 18, one week before the start of the 15th SAARC summit.

Sarba Raj Khadka, director of the Rural Reconstruction Nepal and Human Rights Alliance-SAARC, said the People’s SAARC aims to address problems of people living across South Asia.

General secretary of the All Nepal Farmers’ Federation Prem Dangal said the People’s SAARC should create its own movement rather than following the movement of governments. He said People’s SAARC had not been able to fully address real issues of general people.

Dangal said issues of refugee protection, human trafficking and bilateral and trilateral issues should also be raised during the three-day event.

“Corruption and governance should be the main issue,” said director of Pro Public, Kedar Khadka.

President of the Nepal Disabled Women Association Tika Dahal said woes of disabled people and gender balance should be raised during the three-day event.