Project Background/Introduction:

This project is dedicated to gender equality and has identified the reduction of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) as one of its three key priority areas across all programming initiatives. Despite collaborative efforts, GBV persists as a widespread, persistent, and devastating violation of human rights, necessitating urgent attention. The Udaan sessions identified gaps in parental and family interventions aimed at changing discriminatory mindsets within communities. Similarly, the FFBS project highlighted shortcomings in social norms change, particularly in women’s decision-making, workload sharing, and access to and control over resources. The Saahas project, therefore, presents a valuable opportunity to address these challenges and contribute to the objectives of both Udaan and FFBS.

Given the prevailing patriarchal mindsets and structures in society, women and adolescents are especially vulnerable to GBV. CARE’s intervention strategically targets marginalized and socially backward communities to address this vulnerability. The project is set to be implemented in Dhangadhimai Municipality in the Siraha district of the Madhesh province. Its primary aim is to enhance the capacity of women, girls, men, and boys to challenge social norms related to GBV, make informed decisions, and be motivated to seek support while ensuring access to GBV services. The project also seeks to strengthen the relationship between formal justice providers and the community.

The Saahas project will collaborate with individuals, families, women and men groups, adolescents, and community movement actors, as well as GBV service providers. The goal is to enhance the agency of women and girls against violence, transform relationships within households and among service providers, initiate community movements at the local level, and contribute to the development of GBV-friendly policies and strategies at the municipality and school levels. All interventions aim to promote gender equality and create survivor-friendly environments at various levels. The project aims to reach 100 populations.

Funding Partner:

CARE NEPAL

Project Period:

March 2024 to June 2025

Project Areas:

Dhangadhimai Municipality

Objective:

Strengthen the capacity of women, girls, men, and boys to challenge prevailing social norms related to Gender-Based Violence (GBV). This includes empowering them to make informed decisions and fostering motivation to seek support while accessing GBV services.
Establish a robust relationship between formal justice providers and the community, promoting effective collaboration and communication.
Empower women collectives to play an active role in preventing and responding to GBV. This involves holding formal justice providers accountable and actively participating in the development of standard operating procedures. Collaboration with local governments, especially with entities like the police, judicial committees, and protection clusters, will be a key aspect of this engagement.

Implementation Approaches:

Community Engagement
Collaboration
Advocacy
Service Providers/Judicial Committees

Expected Output:

Participants understand the intersectional forms, root causes, and costs of GBV at an individual level.
They are aware of the law, their rights, and how to access GBV support services and justice mechanisms, empowering them to make informed choices/decisions.
Participants can build social capital and establish a social safety net.
They have a platform to interact with wider activist networks, social movements, service providers, and opinion leaders.
Participants possess the space, power, and resources to collectively problem-solve and identify solutions for change within their households and communities.
Men and boys take actions to prevent and respond to GBV, becoming linked to social movements as allies.
Community networks are empowered to serve as diffusers of positive norms through community activism against GBV, establishing connections with larger social and feminist movements in Nepal.
The media is mobilized to actively support the dissemination of key messages and best practices regarding GBV prevention and response.
Survivors, community support systems, and opinion leaders are aware of available referral pathways, understand the roles of service providers, and have the capacity to effectively influence and hold service providers accountable for their attitudes and behaviors, ensuring a survivor-centered response.
Platforms facilitate improved linkages and dynamic interfaces between the community support systems and formal security and justice service providers.
Community police, judicial committees, mediators, local representatives, and local government stakeholders reflect on their own attitudes and social norms around GBV, motivating them to practice positive social norms and create a conducive environment for service provision.

Key Achievements:

Women, men, and couples who participated in SAA sessions have become more aware of gender inequality, patriarchal norms, and power imbalances in families and society.
Many participants have started challenging traditional gender roles and advocating for joint decision-making in households rather than male dominance.
Intergenerational dialogues helped bridge the gap between older and younger generations, allowing them to discuss family financial management, gender roles, and decision-making processes openly.
Judicial committees, police, and local government representatives engaged in reflection sessions to assess their work, challenges, and strategies to improve legal responses to gender-based violence (GBV), child marriage, and discrimination.
Increased awareness of legal frameworks among community members, especially regarding rape offenses, child marriage laws, and gender rights.
Community leaders, including Ward Presidents and school authorities, have actively participated in advocacy events, increasing institutional support for gender equality initiatives.
The child marriage role play (January 22, 2025) at Sri Ma.bi Kurwa Hanumanagar-3 raised awareness among students, parents, and teachers, demonstrating the dangers of early marriage and the importance of education.
Women’s groups have started speaking out against GBV and seeking support from local authorities.
Community discussions on sexuality and reproductive rights have helped break taboos and encourage healthy conversations about family planning, consent, and bodily autonomy.
Essay competitions, school engagements, and awareness rallies have mobilized youth and students to take a stand on gender issues, creating a more informed next generation.

Beneficiaries Reach:

Direct beneficiaries: 100
Indirect beneficiaries: 500

Challenges:

Deeply rooted patriarchal norms – Resistance from some men and elders in accepting gender equality, joint decision-making, and women’s financial independence.
Men and boys going abroad for work – Due to the lack of job opportunities in Nepal, many men and boys are going abroad for work. While this provides financial support to families, it leads to limited male participation in community activities and projects.

Learnings:

Gained deeper insights into local gender norms, patriarchal structures, and how they shape family and community behavior.
Building trust with local leaders, participants, and community members has been essential for successful project implementation and creating long-term impact.
Realized the importance of self-reflection and continuous learning to improve facilitation techniques and adapt to evolving challenges within the community.