Final Evaluation: Establish Mechanism and Strengthen Sub-National Policies to Combat Violence Against Dalit and Marginalized Women and Girls (Nepal) 

Author(s)/editor(s)

Himalayan Growth Minds (HGM) 

Location: Baneshwor, Kathmandu, Nepal 

Grantee: Center for Dalit Women Nepal (CDWN) 

Grant period: June 2021–July 2024 

Grant amount: $399,500  

Center for Dalit Women Nepal implemented the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women-funded project “Establish Mechanism and Strengthen Sub-National Policies to Combat Violence Against Dalit and Marginalized Women and Girls” in Baneshwor, Kathmandu in Nepal between June 2021 and July 2024. The project, which focused on Dalit, Madhesi and Indigenous communities, aimed to combat violence against women and girls by:

empowering women and girls to raise their voices and seek support services;
strengthening capacities of local government; and
improving institutional responses through policy reform and behaviour change.

The final evaluation concluded that the project significantly addressed violence against women and girls in the targeted communities and made women and girls feel safer, but that challenges remain to ensure sustainability of the progress achieved. Resource constraints, patriarchal norms and capacity gaps among local institutions and government were identified as critical barriers.  

Key findings:

71% of survey respondents reported feeling safer in their communities than before the project. 
55% perceived improved awareness about violence against women and girls, with 90% finding street theatre particularly effective.
94% of participants rated self-defence training as “very effective”. 
Seven local governments developed and initiated implementation of the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion policy.  
Women’s and female youth groups were created and provided platforms for Dalit women to voice their concerns and take collective action against domestic violence and dowry-related issues.

“The self-defence training not only taught us techniques to protect ourselves but also built our confidence to travel around public spaces more freely. We now feel empowered and capacitated.” - Chair of Youth and Women Group, Bara