GENDER EQUALITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE - Oxfam

GENDER EQUALITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

A Community Discussion Centre in Pangtang of Sindhupalchowk being held in open ground of a school with discussion on citizenship’s importance.

Photo credit: Bipana Dhimal/Oxfam

Oxfam in Nepal believes that women and girls from poor and excluded groups should enjoy their rights and lead a dignified life free from violence. For this, we strive to enhance women’s ability for transformative leadership, political participation and empowerment of to access their legal rights and entitlements, and help address violence against women and girls. In all our works, we ensure gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) mainstreaming.

2403 people received legal documents and social security cards (1108 citizenship certificate, 898 vital registration, 397 social security documents) in the coordination with government through reflect circle and mobile camps.

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We also ensure that all of Oxfam programmes in Nepal and their partner organisations and networks support women, girls and socially excluded groups including single women to tackle unequal power relations to eventually realize gender and social justice in a supportive and secure environment.

We form Community Discussion Centers (CDCs) and Reflect Circles where issues of citizenship, vital registration, single women protection fund (SWPF), gender-based violence (GBV), child, early and forced marriage (CEFM), transformative leadership for women’s rights (TLWRs), child trafficking, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), health and sanitation, government services and access, political participation, social injustice and other issues related to gender inequality and social inclusion are discussed and ways to address them are figured out in a participatory way.

300 Community Discussion Centres and REFLECT circles and 40 child clubs formed

4863 women and girls got leadership and advocacy skills to stop child marriages and combat violence against women and girls

200 At least 200 cases of violence against women addressed through counselling, mediation, and referrals

Community people were recognized as gender champions (promoted men engagement through gender champion) Working areas: Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Nuwakot, , Sindhupalchowk, Dailekh, Baitadi, Rautahat, Banke

Projects and Campaigns CREATING SPACES (CS) TO TAKE ACTION ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS This project is implemented in Rautahat, Banke, Dailekh and Baitadi districts to reduce violence against women and girls, child, early and forced marriage, through coordinated prevention and response initiatives. A total of 180 community discussion centers (CDCs) have been formed for women and girls to discuss issues around violence against women and girls, child, early and forced marriage, women’s rights, legal entitlements,

citizenship rights, vital registration, women’s transformative leadership, access to government services and collective solutions to address their problems. These cases are mostly addressed through counselling and mediation by CDC members and at times referred to police and District Women’s Cell. Through the intervention of Oxfam and partners, nearly 60 cased of early marriage have been prevented.

Increased Access of Single women in Single Women Protection Fund (SWPF) for Kathmandu,

Sindhupalchowk and Nuwakot Districts This project is implemented in three districts to increase awareness of single women and community about single women protection fund and help them access the funds.

Oxfam and Women for Human Rights (WHR) are working closely with the government stakeholders and community stakeholders at the province and rural municipality level to sensitize and capacitate single women to access the government entitlement.

Oxfam staff talking to a young bride to know the reason for her early marriage. Photo credit: Oxfam

This project is implemented by Capacity Oxfam’s Partner Women Skill Creation Strengthening Center (WOSCC) in Province 3 (Makwanpur district) to strengthen of Elected capacity of 37 newly elected women on leadership skills, planning Women Leaders leaders and budgeting, advocacy and at Province and networking. Likewise, the project will also support 28 newly elected Local Level in women leaders to build their skills to analyse policies, processes, monitor Nepal activities of local government. For this, WOSCC will work in close coordination with Province 3 Secretariat and the Social Development Ministry.

ENOUGH Campaign

have developed action plans and have started the campaign activities Enough is Oxfam’s global campaign in their respective project districts. to end violence against women and The partners have also given a Nepali girls. The campaign aims to engage name for the campaign Atti Bho. 30 Oxfam country offices in this While implementing the campaign, campaign. The Gender Equality and activities, Oxfam partners closely Social Justice Programme Partners work with the government.

Partners: Child Workers in Nepal Concerned Center (CWIN) | Social Awareness Concern Forum (SAC) Banke | Rural Development Center (RDC) Women for Human Rights (WHR) single women group | Everest Club (EC) | Mahila Utthan Samaj (MUS) Women Skill Creation Center (WOSCC).

Oxfam has been supporting the people of Nepal for more than 30 years with the vision to create a just society without poverty; a society in which all women and men live a life of dignity, enjoy their rights and assume their responsibilities as active citizens of Nepal. Through its Sustainable Development Programme and Humanitarian Programme, Oxfam in Nepal aims to provide people with livelihood opportunities, ensuring that development-related activities are demand driven and sustainable and that the most vulnerable are empowered to claim their rights.

Oxfam Country Office Jawalakhel-20, Lalitpur, Nepal Telephone: +977 (1) 5542881, Fax: +977 (1) 5523197 www.nepal.oxfam.org www.facebook.com/OxfamInNepal | www.twitter.com/OxfamInNepal