Kathmandu, August 2
People in Need in partnership with Hami Daju Vai and Divya Development Resource Center (DDRC) under the Security and Justice Program, funded by UK International Development (FCDO) organized Gender Equality Carnival on Friday in Lalitpur.
The event featured two interactive sections. In the first session, the participants engaged in entertaining games and activities such as Snakes and Ladders, dart games, mehendi booth, policy booth, “Wall of Evidence,” photo booth, and a “Tree of Commitment,” where they directly experienced messages related to gender equality and the prevention of gender-based violence. The second session featured a panel discussion with government and non-government stakeholders, policymakers, experts, and activists, focusing on policy provisions, ongoing efforts, and practical challenges in preventing gender-based violence.
The panel discussion included group activities that encouraged all participants to actively engage and reinforce the campaign messages. Additionally, a gender-focused fashion show by young students highlighted gender-transformative norms, offering an innovative way to help people internalize messages about harmful patriarchy and toxic masculinity.
Kamala Parajuli, Chairperson of the National Women’s Commission, and chief guest of the event, emphasized that along with policy efforts, effective implementation is equally important to prevent gender-based violence.
Similarly, SSP Tara Devi Thapa from the Directorate of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens shared her experiences of receiving complaints related to gender-based violence and child marriage, often under various forms of pressure. She stressed on high impunity, stating 5% of domestic violence cases ever achieve justice.
Bhumi Shrestha, LGBTIQ+ activist highlighted the continued practice of forced genital surgeries on intersex children and stressed the urgent need for legal provisions.
Kapil Kafle, Former South Asia and Nepal Coordinator of MenEngage Alliance, discussed the harmful effects of toxic masculinity, noting that it impacts both men and women.
Jibacha Shah, the acting chairperson of the National Madhesi Commission, stated that the Commission opposes lowering the legal age of marriage and is committed to taking further action to ensure that such regressive policies are not approved.
The panel discussion was moderated by Women’s rights activist and journalist Aarti Chataut. She shared findings from a study, pointing out that single women are the most vulnerable to violence in society, followed by married women, and then unmarried women. Presenting Hami DajuVai’s research on public opinion regarding lowering the legal age of marriage, she noted that the only individuals supporting a reduction from 18 to 20 are adults who are not personally affected by this change.
The panel discussion delved into issues such as child marriage, prevention of gender-based violence, mental health, toxic masculinity, the situation of gender and sexual minorities, workplace harassment, building healthy relationships, men’s participation in gender equality, and the need to break the silence around violence.
The Organizers of the carnival informed that the second phase will be open to the general public with free invitations, and next month, a carnival specifically targeting Madhesh Province will also be organized.
