28 April 2024, Dang: Advocacy Forum-Nepal (AF) and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) jointly organised an advocacy meeting with provincial ministries in Bhalubang, Dang, the provincial headquarters of Lumbini Province in a proactive move towards addressing the longstanding issues surrounding transitional justice and reparation efforts.
The meeting convened key stakeholders, including government officials, civil society representatives, and conflict-affected individuals, to discuss the strengthening of policy frameworks for reparations, particularly focusing on women victims.
The meeting, attended by ministers, secretaries, and undersecretaries, aimed to evaluate the current status and challenges surrounding reparation efforts, especially in light of recent developments such as the Transitional Justice (TJ) bill. Discussions revolved around the need for concrete data collection on women victims, with proposals for innovative support mechanisms including interest-free loans, scholarships, and market access for victims’ products.
Advocate Raju Prasad Chapagain highlighted Lumbini Province’s progress as a potential model for addressing reparation challenges.
Government officials acknowledged the challenges in data collection and policy formulation, with commitments to prioritise these issues at both provincial and national levels. Minister Bhagwati Adhikari underscored the importance of joint coordination and national-level discussions to ensure consistent efforts across regions. The meeting concluded with pledges from government representatives to follow up on discussed measures, transitioning towards a policy-driven approach to interim relief and reparation.
