Nepal, World Bank Launch Project to Strengthen Gender-Based Violence Response

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

The "Institutionalizing Gender-Based Violence Response in Federal Nepal" project was jointly launched today by the Honorable Minister of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens, Ms. Bhagbati Chaudhary, and the World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, Mr. Faris Hadad-Zervos.

This three-year initiative aims to enhance women's and girls' access to multisectoral gender-based violence (GBV) response services, including legal aid, psychosocial counseling, and medical support, in six municipalities across Koshi and Lumbini provinces. It is expected to benefit 49,000 women and girls who have experienced violence by providing better access to quality services.

“Addressing gender-based violence is a priority for the government of Nepal. This project will help establish a functioning coordination system to link GBV response mechanisms at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels,” said Bhagbati Chaudhary, the Honorable Minister of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens.

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

The project aims to strengthen institutional frameworks and capacity, pilot innovative GBV service models focused on improving service coverage and quality, and promote behavior change among first responders and local stakeholders for improved GBV response.

“This project will help empower women and girls to readily access GBV services, report violence, and seek help, especially in the most remote and hard-to-reach areas. This is key to supporting Nepal’s development that is green, resilient, and inclusive,” said Faris Hadad-Zervos, World Bank Country Director.

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