GBVPR - Gender-based Violence Prevention and Response Project
With its longstanding experience in promoting psychosocial support services and a strong engagement in support of federal state building, Switzerland is well positioned to engage on reducing all forms of GBV and discrimination against women in Nepal. The project aims at strengthening and institutionalizing a coordinated, survivor-centred response for GBV victims, addressing root causes and engaging with all government levels for a more gender equitable policy environment.
Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
---|---|---|---|
Nepal |
Governance Human rights Gender nothemedefined
Public sector policy
Human rights (incl. Women's rights) Sexual & gender-based violence Legal and judicial development |
01.07.2020
- 04.08.2026 |
CHF 7’308’181
|
- Foreign private sector North
- United Nations Population Fund
-
Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation Public sector policy and administrative management
Human rights
Ending violence against women and girls
Legal and judicial development
Cross-cutting topics Human rights
The project also supports partner organisation improvements
Aid Type Mandate without fiduciary fund
Project and programme contribution
Project number 7F09472
Background |
Over the past decade, Nepal has managed considerable achievements in the social sector, however, key indicators consistently confirm the disadvantaged position of women in Nepal. Gender-based violence (GBV) remains highly prevalent in the country, despite a comprehensive legal framework that has driven progress on gender equality. Studies conducted by different agencies show that one in five women in Nepal aged 15-49 has experienced physical violence, at least one in four (26%) married women have experienced spousal violence, and 66% of GBV victims have never sought support. All evidence indicates that high prevalence and acceptance of violence against women and girls in Nepal, as in many parts of the globe, is rooted in patriarchal social norms that value men and boys over women and girls, and legitimize aggressive behaviour by men. With the promulgation of the 2015 constitution, important roles and responsibilities related to GBV, gender equality and women empowerment have shifted to the provincial and local level. While the lack of resources, the tendency of local governments to prioritize infrastructure investments over tackling social matters, and lack of coordination between the different stakeholders constitute major challenges in addressing GBV, the new set-up at local level provides a great potential for a more coordinated and survivor-centered response to GBV. |
Objectives | All forms of gender-based violence and discrimination against women and girls are reduced in two provinces in Nepal. |
Target groups |
Primary beneficiaries are approximately 11’500 GBV victims (women and girls). Secondary beneficiaries are: - Adolescent girls and boys; - Newlywed couples, community members (men, women, girls and boys); - Health workers, female community health volunteers, community-based psychosocial worker; - Peer education programme teachers and facilitators; - Judicial and mediation committee members; - Elected members at different levels. |
Medium-term outcomes |
Outcome 1: Women and men, including girls and boys, increasingly prevent, report and address gender-based violence; Outcome 2: Local governments, legal authorities and health facilities provide effective (multi-sectoral) survivor-centered responses to gender-based violence; Outcome 3: Local, provincial and federal governments adopt and implement policies and budgets for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. |
Results |
Expected results: Output 1.1: Community facilitators have the capacities to conduct reflective sessions with target groups on social norms; Output 1.2: Individual and groups of men, women, boys and girls have enhanced capacity to challenge discriminatory social norms. Output 2.1: Government and non-governmental actors have enhanced capacities for the provision of quality services through temporary shelter homes for survivors; Output 2.2: The health sector has enhanced capacities for the provision of quality services through one-stop crisis management centers, health posts and the network of female community health workers; Output 2.3: Local governments have enhanced capacities to provide community-based psychosocial services which are institutionally linked through the referral pathways; Output 2.4: Informal and quasi-justice systems are strengthened to mediate GBV cases through a gender transformative approach. Output 3.1: Local and provincial governments have improved capacities to implement gender responsive plans, policies, legislation and budgets; Output 3.2: Local and provincial governments have improved collaboration and coordination on shared multi-sectoral services on GBV. Results from previous phases: - The first phase of the project successfully contributed in the project working districts to the strengthened response mechanism for GBV victims with a referral system based on trained case managers and coordinators at the One-stop Crisis Management Centres, and community based psychosocial workers. As a result, the service-seeking behaviour of GBV victims increased significantly, demonstrating that services and support structures must be in place before victims are willing to report or seek help. - Within the new federal set-up, the project not only succeeded to adapt to the new structures but also to closely link the response mechanism with local governments. It managed to leverage significant contributions from the local and provincial governments for cost-sharing of the response mechanism. - Engaging adolescent girls through peer education programmes was effective in supporting them in their personal development and strengthening their ability to negotiate for their rights. At the same time, other prevention related activities did not work for different reasons. This was often due to insufficient understanding and ability of facilitators to inspire critical reflection and behaviour change in others. The MTR suggested to pilot new approaches, accompanied by a rigorous learning component to track and understand the effects of each components, in view of a more comprehensive prevention strategy. |
Directorate/federal office responsible |
SDC |
Credit area |
Development cooperation |
Project partners |
Contract partner Private sector United Nations Organization (UNO) Other partners United Nations Population Fund UNFPA |
Coordination with other projects and actors | Coordination with major donors (World Bank, DFID, UNWOMEN and USAID). Synergies with Swiss projects: Province Support Program, Provincial and Local Government Support Program, Enhanced Skills for Sustainable and Rewarding Employment Project, Safer Migration and She Leads Project. |
Budget | Current phase Swiss budget CHF 7’308’181 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 6’448’638 |
Project phases | Phase 2 01.07.2020 - 04.08.2026 (Current phase) Phase 1 01.02.2016 - 31.12.2020 (Completed) |