8 March 2022, Kathmandu: To mark 112th International Women’s day 2022, Advocacy Forum (AF) incollaboration with Human Rights and Justice Centre (HRJC), The Story Kitchen (TSK), International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), Conflict Victim Women National Network (CVWN), Nagarik Awaz,(NA),and Voices of Women (VOW-Media) organized an interaction program titled, “Conflict-related Sexual Violence ( CRSV) : The Status of National Action Plan 1325 and 1820, and Concerns of Victims” at Alfa House, New Baneshwor Kathmandu. The interaction program was organized in a panel discussion format with an aim to bring the issue of victims of conflict-era sexual abuse into the foreground to raise the voice of justice for those affected. The program was attended by various civil society organizations, victim groups, representatives of concerned ministries and departments, political representatives, and media. The program was facilitated by Sushila Chaudhary, General Secretary of CVWN.
The program started with the documentary filmed by the Story Kitchen, showcasing the stories of victims of torture and conflict related sexual violence. During the program, Geeta Rasaily, Vice Chairperson of CVWN, who was also a member of the NAP Drafting Committee, stated that the second draft of the NAP had removed many terms such as conflict-related sexual violence and reduced the penalty period from four to three years, which she believes will impede the right to justice for many women exploited by sexual violence during armed conflict.
Similarly, Dr. Mandira Sharma from ICJ elaborated on the national and international provisions in the 1325 and 1820 National Action Plan. The speakers representing political parties and parliaments including Hon’ble, Bimala Rai Poudyal (Member, National Assembly), Hon’ble Samina Hussain (Member, House of Representatives / Member, Law, Justice and Human Rights Committee), Hon’ble Pushpa Bhusal (Chief Whip of Nepali Congress House of Representatives Parliamentary Party) and Anita Pariyar (Central leader-All Nepal Women’s Association- Revolutionary) all showed their political commitment to raise the issue of conflict-related sexual violence and NAP 2nd phase in parliament as well as in the concerned party meetings.
The interaction program was concluded with a commitment to continue a discussion series on the same topic to gather the governmental as well as parliamentary attention and commitment towards 2nd NAP 1325 and 1820.
