KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 15
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and UNFPA in Nepal, together with provincial ministers, launched the SAFE-Girls project in Nepal on 14 February.
This initiative is funded with US$ 2.2 million in Lumbini Province allocated for the empowerment of girls, adolescent teenagers, and young women for the next three years. The project specifically targets harmful practices and gender-based violence faced by women and girls. It is being implemented in 20 municipalities across Lumbini, Madhesh and Sudurpaschim provinces, with a total budget of US$ 6.6 million, according to the press release issued by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
SAFE-Girls will provide safe spaces for adolescent girls and young women with support networks that will help them build agency and social capital in peer-based support networks. The project will offer comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) both in and out of schools, and enhance services for preventing and responding to gender-based violence across municipalities, the release further states.
UNFPA Representative for Nepal, Won Young Hong, emphasized the importance of building on the lessons learned from existing relevant programmes of UNFPA and innovating interventions further to equip women and adolescent girls to be able to make informed decisions about their bodies and lives even after the project ends. "The SAFE-Girls initiative is a collective effort that unites government institutions, international partners, community leaders, and young people to drive meaningful and lasting change."
Plan International Country Director for Nepal, Ram Kishan, emphasized Plan International's previous experience towards initiatives like these. "This initiative represents not just a project, but a movement-one that aims to empower adolescent girls and young women by creating a safe and enabling environment for them to learn, grow, and lead. Adolescent girls face early marriage, limited access to education and health services, and social norms that restrict their full potential. The SAFE-Girls project seeks to break these barriers by providing safe spaces, CSE, and stronger support systems for GBV survivors."
During the launch event, the ministers and government officials conveyed their strong dedication to supporting the SAFE-Girls project and ensuring its successful execution. They highlighted the critical importance of empowering adolescent girls and young women to overcome harmful practices and gender-based violence. Their collective commitment was evident as they pledged to collaborate in creating a supportive environment for the growth and development of these young individuals.
Chaired by Ana Prasad Neupane, the secretary of the ministry of social development, Lumbini, the event was graced by the honorable presence of Janamajaya Timilsina, the Minister of Social Development in Lumbini; Basanti Neupane, the Honorable Member of the Lumbini Province Assembly and Coordinator of the Forum of Women Parliament, Lumbini; and Baburam Acharya, the District Coordination Committee (DDC) Chief of Kapilvastu.
The minister of Social Development Lumbini Province, Janmajaya Timilsina, expressed his support for the project and committed to ensuring active participation from the ministry and the people of the province to ensure that SAFE-Girls is a success.