Welcome to Part 2 of our January 2025 Inspirational Interview with Suvekchya Rana, Executive Director of Saathi in Nepal.
Suvekchya Rana is the Executive Director of Saathi, a leading nonprofit organisation in Nepal dedicated to addressing gender-based violence and empowering women. She began as a supervisor at one of Saathi’s shelter homes for children who have experienced violence. This experience was transformative, shaping her behaviour, thoughts, and understanding of the harsh realities faced by survivors of violence. While her journey has been filled with challenges, it has been deeply rewarding for her to save lives and work toward transforming society into a place with violence-free homes and communities.
In this part of the interview, Suvekchya talks about the impact of Saathi’s work on raising awareness of violence against women and its influence on government policy, while also looking ahead to the organisation’s future plans.
Part two of Suvekchya’s interview was published 5 January 2025.
All photos are courtesy of Saathi.
6. Over the years, what sort of impact has Saathi’s work had on stopping violence against women in Nepal?
Saathi’s work has had a significant impact on addressing violence against women (VAW) in Nepal. The most visible result is the increased awareness of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Women and girls are now more empowered to report cases, leading to a rise in the number of cases being brought forward.
This increased awareness has also influenced government priorities, resulting in the introduction of progressive laws and policies. Nepal now has laws addressing domestic violence and workplace sexual harassment, as well as policies such as the Gender Equality Policy and action plans to end child marriage. These developments reflect a growing recognition of the importance of addressing GBV at a systemic level.
However, challenges remain. Case management and justice processes are still hindered by inefficiencies, and the legal system requires further reform to become more gender-sensitive. Saathi continues to advocate for systemic changes to bridge these gaps.
7. How do you think men and boys can help to end violence against women?
Men and boys play a crucial role in ending violence against women and fostering gender equality. Saathi has been actively engaging men and boys in initiatives aimed at transforming societal mindsets and creating an enabling environment for survivors.
Celebrities and influential men can serve as role models, using their platforms to challenge harmful norms and promote respect and equality. By embodying feminist leadership principles, men and boys can become strong allies in the fight against violence, helping to dismantle patriarchal structures and support survivors.
When men and boys advocate for gender equality, they contribute to creating a safer and more equitable society where women and girls can thrive. Their involvement is essential not only for challenging discriminatory practices but also for fostering long-term societal change that benefits everyone.
8. Tell us about Saathi’s plans for the future. What campaigns, programmes, or projects do you have coming up in the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, Saathi envisions creating a foundation for a more equitable and violence-free society through innovative campaigns and programmes. One key initiative is the “Raising Feminist Boys” programme, aimed at preparing a new generation that values equality and rejects violence. This programme will engage families and schools to challenge traditional notions of masculinity and redefine the role of men in fostering gender equality.
Saathi also plans to strengthen its collaboration with the government to ensure the effective implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of existing policies related to gender equality and violence prevention. By working closely with policymakers and other stakeholders, Saathi aims to bridge gaps in enforcement and advocate for systemic improvements.
Additionally, Saathi will continue its grassroots and community-level engagement to mobilise individuals and create broader awareness about gender-based violence, ensuring a sustained and collective effort toward eliminating it entirely.
9. How can The Pixel Project’s supporters engage with and support the efforts of Saathi to stop violence against women?
The Pixel Project’s supporters can play a vital role in supporting Saathi’s mission to stop violence against women in Nepal. Saathi is currently rebuilding its shelter homes, which were repurposed residential buildings damaged by the 2015 earthquake. The new shelters are designed to be more accessible and equipped to meet the needs of diverse survivors and their children. Supporters can endorse Saathi’s work internationally, refer the organisation to development partners and philanthropic institutions, and amplify its initiatives through social media. Organising fundraising campaigns can provide essential resources for the shelter reconstruction, skill-building programs, and advocacy efforts. Additionally, supporters can connect Saathi with technical expertise, capacity-building opportunities, and strategic guidance to enhance its operations.
By collaborating on these efforts, The Pixel Project’s community can empower Saathi to expand its impact and create a safer, violence-free society for women and girls in Nepal.
10. In your considered opinion, how can we end violence against women for good?
Ending violence against women requires a multifaceted and sustained approach. First, raising community awareness is critical to challenging and changing societal norms that perpetuate gender-based violence. Empowered communities can create a culture of zero tolerance for violence and actively support survivors.
Second, ensuring accountability from governments and service providers is essential. Strong legal frameworks, effective enforcement, and comprehensive monitoring systems are necessary to protect survivors and deter perpetrators.
Third, engaging youth is pivotal. By fostering a new generation with sensitised minds and demystified concepts of masculinity, we can dismantle patriarchal structures and promote gender equality.
Finally, providing survivors with ample opportunities and a supportive social environment is key. Access to education, economic independence, and community reintegration can empower survivors to rebuild their lives and break the cycle of violence.
By integrating these strategies, we can create a society where women live in safety, dignity, and equality, free from violence.
