Nepal, World Bank launch $4.6m project to strengthen response to GBV 

KATHMANDU: Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens, Bhagawati Chaudhary, and World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, Faris Hadad-Zervos, jointly launched the 'Institutionalizing Gender-Based Violence Response in Federal Nepal' project. 

This three-year project is designed to improve the access of women and girls to multisectoral gender-based violence (GBV) response services, such as legal aid, psychosocial counselling, and medical support, across six municipalities in Koshi and Lumbini provinces. It is anticipated that the project will benefit 49,000 women and girls who have been victims of violence by enhancing their access to high-quality services.

Minister Chaudhary said, "Tackling gender-based violence is a priority for the Government of Nepal. This project will aid in establishing an effective coordination system to link GBV response mechanisms at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels."

The project, funded by a $4.6 million grant from the State and Peacebuilding Trust Fund, will be implemented by the Ministry of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens.

The project will focus on strengthening institutional frameworks and capacity, trialling innovative GBV service models to enhance service coverage and quality, and promoting behavioural change among first responders and local stakeholders for a more effective GBV response. 

"This project will enable women and girls to readily access GBV services, report instances of violence, and seek assistance, particularly in the most remote and difficult-to-reach areas. This is vital for supporting Nepal’s development that is green, resilient, and inclusive," said Faris Hadad-Zervos, World Bank Country Director.

The financing agreements for the project were signed by the Government of Nepal and the World Bank on April 24, 2024.