16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence 2020

To mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence 2020, Zonta Club of Kathmandu organized a campaign to raise awareness to end violence against women in the world of work in both formal and informal sectors. For this campaign, Zonta Club of Kathmandu collaborated with Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI), International Labour Organisation (ILO), International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and Pourakhi Nepal, Kumari Bank and Royal Thai Embassy Nepal. The theme of the campaign was “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!” “A World of Work Free from Violence and Harassment: A Right and An Obligation”. Since violence against women and children is a grave violation of human rights, from 25 November to 10 December, every year, actions are galvanised to prevent violence against women and girls around the world through the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign. On November 25, Minister Lilanath Shrestha, Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizen launched the campaign during the virtual inauguration program organised by Zonta Club of Kathmandu. Speakers at the event included: Seema Golchha, President of Zonta Club of Kathmandu; Bhawani Rana, former President of FNCCI; Dr. Richard Howard, Director of ILO Nepal Country Office; Lorena Lando, Chief of Mission of IOM Nepal; Manju Gurung, Co-founder and Strategic Advisor, Pourakhi Nepal and Neelima Shrestha, Chair, VAW Committee, Zonta Club of Kathmandu. Dr. Richard Howard, Director of ILO Nepal said, “Violence and harassment in the world of work is the antithesis of decent work. It is a threat to the dignity, health and wellbeing of those who experience it, and for their families. Addressing violence and harassment is imperative especially during Covid 19 as many frontline workers such as health workers are facing various kinds of violence and harassment. The Violence and Harassment Convention (No.190), and Violence and Harassment Recommendation (No.206), recognise the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment”. Attendees included senior government officials from MoWCSW, the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security (MoLESS);senior officials and representatives from Embassies, bilateral organisations, nongovernmental organisations and media. Zonta International founded in 1919 is a leading global organisation of professionals, empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy. It envisions a world in which women’s rights are recognised as human rights and every woman is able to achieve her full potential. In such a world, women have access to all resources, are represented in decision making positions on an equal basis with men and no women will live in fear of violence.