A three day training workshop on rights, GBV prevention and accessibility to quality discriminatory service was conducted by Setu Nepal at Namuna Machindra School on 29th,30th and 31st of January which included a total of 34 participants.
The 1st day of training ,29th January began with an Ice breaking session and expectation setting making participants familiar and flexible with the environment. Ms.Ranju Pandey, an executive director of Setu Nepal led an insightful session on gender and sexuality, challenging participants to deconstruct rigid gender norms and question societal biases. The discussion covered social exclusion, gender stereotypes, and structural inequalities, enabling deeper reflection and dialogue. The session further explored gender-based oppression, highlighting lived experiences of patriarchal norms, marital struggles, and social stigma surrounding menstruation.
“I would prefer to be born as a son because society grants them freedom and opportunities.” A participant perspective during the discussion on the following topic.
The afternoon session, led by Ms. Neha Das, examined the intersection of GBV, health, and nutrition which focused on the physical and psychological impact of violence on women’s well-being, highlighting real-world examples and case studies to reinforce the necessity of holistic interventions.
The 2nd day of training ,30th January started with a recap of the previous day’s discussions, allowing participants to reflect on key takeaways and share their insights. The first session provided a comprehensive overview of HIV/AIDS and sexual violence, emphasizing their links to gender inequality. An interactive ice-breaking activity using chart games illustrated modes of HIV transmission. The afternoon session shifted focus to the challenges faced by transgender individuals, particularly regarding discrimination and the risk of HIV transmission within the LGBTQ+ community. The facilitator stressed the importance of self-advocacy and awareness of legal protections.
“At a hospital, a person pointed at me because my medical file had ‘HIV-positive’ written on it. I felt exposed and humiliated.” A testimony by participants during the session.
The final day of the training, 31st January was all about Advocacy, Legal Frameworks, and Survivor-Centered Services. Participants engaged in a workshop on behavior change communication, learning about effective communication strategies, verbal and non-verbal cues, and stress management techniques, including yoga which was led by Benju Thapa, Yoga and mediator Instructor.
Ms. Basanta Ghimire from the Women, Child, and Senior Citizen Unit of the District Police Range, Jawalakhel, conducted a session on legal frameworks addressing GBV. Dr. Srijana Kunwar from Patan Hospital provided insights into the One-Stop Crisis Management Center (OCMC) ,insightful discussion on Health examination and treatment, emergency shelter, psychosocial counseling, medico-legal services and Legal counseling
The training concluded on a note of empowerment and solidarity, equipping participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to challenge gender-based violence and support survivors effectively.