Kathmandu: The United Nations in Nepal officially launched the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) campaign on Monday, with a strong call for integrating Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) principles into humanitarian action. The campaign highlights the urgent need to address the gender disparities exacerbated by Nepal’s frequent exposure to disasters.
A press statement from the UN Nepal noted that Nepal’s recurring natural disasters have laid bare the deep-rooted gender inequalities that disproportionately affect women and girls. In disaster aftermaths, overcrowded shelters often increase the risks of violence, and essential services remain inaccessible, especially for those with disabilities. Women, who already bear the burden of unpaid care work, are frequently excluded from decision-making processes during recovery efforts, further silencing their voices in times of crisis.
UN Resident Coordinator, Hanaa Singer Hamdy, emphasized the importance of empowering women and girls in disaster response efforts. “Nepal’s unique geography and socio-economic challenges make it particularly vulnerable to recurring disasters,” she said at the event. “However, the impacts are not gender-neutral. To prevent violence against women in humanitarian crises, we must empower women and girls, design inclusive and gender-responsive interventions, and ensure perpetrators are held accountable.”
The event featured an interactive dialogue titled “Unite to End Violence Against Women: Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion in Humanitarian Action,” where leaders from the Government of Nepal, humanitarian clusters, development partners, and women-led organizations discussed the disproportionate impacts of disasters on women and girls. The dialogue also highlighted the critical role of women-led organizations in promoting inclusive, community-centered solutions.
Anil Pokhrel, Chief Executive of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), stressed the importance of localizing the GEDSI Strategy Action Plan. “We need to localize the GEDSI Strategy Action Plan to integrate these principles into disaster risk reduction and management. By localizing this strategy at the provincial and local levels, we can create tangible change, particularly for women, girls, and persons with disabilities,” Pokhrel said.
The UN Nepal statement further urged all stakeholders to prioritize gender equality, disability, and social inclusion in all aspects of disaster preparedness and response. The statement emphasized the importance of ensuring that humanitarian efforts respect and uphold the dignity and rights of every individual, regardless of gender, ability, or status.
The 16 Days of Activism campaign, which runs until December 10, aims to raise awareness and mobilize efforts to end gender-based violence and promote the inclusion of marginalized groups in all humanitarian actions.