KATHMANDU, JUNE 25
The first-ever national conference on 'Women shelters for victims/survivors of gender-based violence in Nepal' commenced in Kathmandu today. The conference organised by Saathi in collaboration with the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizen and the National Network of Women Shelters aims to address pressing issues surrounding gender-based violence and promote empowerment of women and children through improved and effective shelter services. The three-day event will run from June 25 to 27.
Around 150 participants, shelter operators, gender experts, gender-based violence survivors, psychosocial counsellors, and provincial and local government representatives will participate in the consultations.
There will be six parallel thematic sessions and three plenary sessions ranging from standard operating procedures, emerging issues, inclusivity, referral services and survivor centred approach, resource mapping and sustainability of shelter.
Speaking at the inaugural event, chief guest and Minister of Women, Children and Senior Citizens Surendra Raj Acharya emphasised the need to improve the quality of services offered by the shelters to ensure justice and empowerment of women and children facing violence.
Chair of the National Women Commission Kamala Parajuli acknowledged the instrumental role played by shelter services in rebuilding the lives of women and girls affected by domestic and gender-based violence.
"Shelters are supporting survivor women and girls to raise voice against the violence they faced. Different organisations are providing shelter services to women and girls affected by violence. Ultimately, the government should take responsibility for the shelters being run by other organisations," Parajuli added.
During the keynote address, Member of Parliament Arzu Rana Deuba reflected on the history of the shelter movement in Nepal and highlighted its achievements, challenges and the way forward. She expressed belief that the shelters should expand their focus to encompass the prevention of gender-based violence beyond merely providing support to the survivors.
"The cases managed by women shelters, data, and other evidence at the shelters should be used to inform policies in the prevention of gender-based violence. As a lawmaker and women's rights activist, I am committed to improving policies related to shelters and strengthening the monitoring and regulation of shelter services," Deuba said.
Bandana Rana, UN CEDAW Committee Member and Convener of the conference and the co-founder and former chair of the Global Network of Women Shelters, drew upon her experience in taking the shelter movement forward nationally and globally. She highlighted the united efforts of those operating shelters nationally, regionally and globally and the emergence of new trends and approaches in shelter services.
"This conference provides an opportunity for all stakeholders to celebrate achievements, reflect on challenges and learn from each other," she said. "Stronger shelter movement results in addressing diverse needs and quality services for the GBV survivors who are banished from their homes and stigmatised in society," she added.
Won Young Hong, Country Representative of UNFPA in Nepal, reaffirmed UNFPA's support in preventing gender-based violence. Saying that violence against women and children is still too high across the world, she said the shelters provide most important services for violence survivors.
"Shelter serves the women who face unbearable impact of violence and have no other safe places to go. It saves lives of women and children," she added.
A version of this article appears in the print on June 26, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
