With the slogan “Use Technology Wisely: End Gender-Based Violence,” the 34th International 16-Day Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence was observed on November 25, 2025 in the districts of Madhesh Province through various programs.
According to Santosh Kumar Yadav, INSEC Dhanusha representative, under the 16-Day Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence, on November 25, 2025, during the Biwah Panchami Festival, a gender-based violence awareness campaign, along with a free health camp and drinking water distribution program, was organized at the Janaki Temple premises in Janakpur Dham.
The program was jointly organized by Gender Violence Control Network, Informal Sector Service Center (INSEC), Peace Restoration Home, Apant Nepal, Women’s Single Women Group for Human Rights, Ekdwar Crisis Management Center, Hami Daju Bhai, Divya Development Center, Life Nepal, and Maiti Nepal.
Raju Paswan, INSEC Madhesh Province Coordinator, stated that the purpose of such programs during festivals like Biwah Panchami is not only to provide the community with health services and sanitation facilities but also to raise awareness about gender-based violence. He said, ““Such programs send a positive message and help ensure equality and safety.”
He further mentioned that the program aimed to spread awareness about gender-based violence while ensuring access to health services and drinking water.
Similarly, in Jaleshwar Municipality, Mahottari, under the 16-Day Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence, a morning rally (Prabhat Pheri) was organized on the said date, in the district headquarters, Jaleshwar.
The rally in Jaleshwar Municipality was jointly organized by the District Administration Office, District Police Office, Jaleshwar Municipality, INSEC, Women’s Human Rights Protection Network, Women Awareness Center, Ratauli Youth Club, and OREK, and culminated in a corner meeting at Shankar Chowk.
At the corner meeting, Chief District Officer Indradev Yadav noted that although debates and campaigns against violence toward women have been initiated in society, the reduction of incidents of violence against women is still not satisfactory.
SP Heramb Sharma of the District Police Office, Mahottari, highlighted that violence against women persists due to existing superstitions and harmful traditions, emphasizing that continuous collective participation is necessary to raise awareness against violence toward women.
Mamta Bishwakarma, Documentation Officer of INSEC Madhesh Province, stated that women face daily incidents of dowry-related violence, witchcraft accusations, rape, and domestic violence, and stressed that concerned authorities must take these issues seriously to reduce such occurrences.
Rekha Jha of the Women’s Human Rights Protection Network, Mahottari, emphasized the need to boycott individuals, harmful traditions, and practices that perpetrate violence against women.
Sadhana Verma of the Women Awareness Center expressed that to reduce gender-based violence, organizations working in human rights should coordinate and collaborate with local governments to conduct public awareness campaigns.
According to Durga Pariyar, INSEC Siraha representative, under the 16-Day Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence, a rally and interaction program was organized in the Siraha district headquarters on the said date.
The rally, jointly organized by Siraha Municipality, INSEC, Mukti Nepal, Dalit Welfare Youth Club, District Administration, District Police Office, Province Youth Network, CMC Nepal, Sahayogi Haat Haru, Women’s Human Rights Protection Network, and Human Rights Alliance, culminated in an interaction program following the rally.
At the program, Dr. Navin Kumar Yadav, Mayor of Siraha Municipality, noted that although many laws have been enacted in Nepal to reduce gender-based violence, organizations are conducting awareness activities to ensure their implementation. He emphasized that violence against women often originates within the household and sometimes from women themselves, and therefore, solutions must also begin at the household level.
SP Anntaram Sharma of the District Police Office, Siraha, stressed that the campaign against violence should not be limited to 16 days but conducted 365 days a year. He added that even with proper laws and policies, violence persists due to the poor intent of society and the authorities responsible for implementation.
Devakumari Mahar, Chairperson of Mukti Nepal, explained that the day was initiated to commemorate the day when three sisters of the Mirabal family were murdered by a dictatorship for raising their voices for women’s rights. She stated that observing the campaign for just 16 days is insufficient and that everyone should continuously conduct campaigns to end violence from their own place.
According to Budhan Sah, INSEC representative in Sarlahi, the 16-Day Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence was inaugurated in Malangwa Municipality–2 at Shri Public Secondary School on the same day through an interaction program.
The program was organized by Malangwa Municipality in coordination with INSEC, Mukti Nepal, Ashish Social Service Nepal, NCE, ROYM Nepal, District Police Office, Human Rights Protection Network, and WOREC.
Nagina Yadav, Child and Women Officer of Malangwa Municipality, stated that the municipality has initiated various awareness programs in coordination with organizations to conduct the campaign against violence toward women.
Hom Prasal Ghimire, Chief Administrative Officer of Malangwa Municipality Office, mentioned that organizations have been carrying out numerous awareness activities to implement laws against gender-based violence. He emphasized that the rule of law is essential in the country to end violence against women.
According to Gauri Nyaupane, INSEC representative in Rautahat, under the District Police Office, the Women, Children, and Senior Citizens Service Center, Garuda, in coordination with Gender Violence Control Network and Garuda Municipality, organized a rally and corner meeting in Garuda Bazaar. The program was coordinated by INSEC, Rural Development Center Nepal, Gujara Youth Club, Sanrakshan Nepal, and Aasman Nepal.
The corner meeting was addressed by Kanthamani Kalwar Jaiswal, Mayor of Garuda Municipality, who expressed his commitment to ending all forms of violence against women. He stated that he would personally engage in these efforts and direct the wards under the municipality to conduct awareness programs in their areas to prevent violence.
He highlighted a tragic incident where, during the campaign against violence toward women, a woman was murdered by her own mother-in-law, father-in-law, and other family members, and her body was buried in a pit inside the house, emphasizing how women are not even safe within their own families. From the program venue, he urged the police and administration to take the strictest possible action against the perpetrators.
According to Tulsi Bhandari, INSEC representative in Parsa, under the organization of the Ministry of Sports and Social Welfare, Madhesh Province, and in coordination with INSEC, Life Nepal, Kayapalat, Divya Shrot Center, People in Need, UNFPA, Maiti Nepal, and other organizations, the morning rally (Prabhat Pheri) was inaugurated on the same day, from Gandhagar, Birgunj. The rally passed through Adarshanagar, Loharpatti, and Geeta Mandir, and returned to Gandhagar, culminating in a corner meeting.
Addressing the corner meeting at the inauguration of the 16-Day Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence, Bhola Dahal, Chief District Officer of Parsa, emphasized the need to conduct such campaigns to reduce incidents of gender-based violence. He further stated that coordination among all concerned stakeholders is essential for the success of these efforts.