Kathmandu, May 21, 2024 – In a significant step towards addressing gender-based violence (GBV) in Nepal, the Government of Nepal and the World Bank have jointly launched the Institutionalizing Gender-Based Violence Response in Federal Nepal Project. The project was inaugurated by Honorable Minister of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens Ms. Bhagbati Chaudhary and World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka Mr. Faris Hadad-Zervos.
This three-year initiative, funded by a $4.6 million grant from the State and Peacebuilding Trust Fund, aims to enhance access to comprehensive GBV response services, including legal aid, psychosocial counseling, and medical support, for women and girls in six municipalities within the Koshi and Lumbini provinces. The project is expected to benefit around 49,000 women and girls who have experienced violence, ensuring they receive high-quality, multi-sectoral support.
“Addressing gender-based violence is a priority for the government of Nepal. This project will help establish a coordinated system linking GBV response mechanisms at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels,” said Minister Bhagbati Chaudhary.
The project will focus on strengthening institutional frameworks and capacities, piloting innovative service models to improve service coverage and quality, and promoting behavior change among first responders and local stakeholders to enhance GBV response.
“This initiative will empower women and girls to access GBV services, report violence, and seek help, particularly in remote and hard-to-reach areas. This is crucial for supporting Nepal’s development in a way that is green, resilient, and inclusive,” stated Faris Hadad-Zervos, World Bank Country Director.
The financing agreements for the project were signed on April 24, 2024, marking a commitment to creating a safer and more supportive environment for women and girls in Nepal.
