KATHMANDU, Feb 15: The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) launched the SAFE-Girls project to empower adolescent girls and young women in Nepal on December 10.
With a funding of US$ 2.2 million, the project targets harmful practices and gender-based violence across Lumbini, Madhesh, and Sudurpaschim provinces. It will benefit 20 municipalities over the next three years, with a total budget of US$ 6.6 million.
Women at work
According to a press statement issued by the UNFPA, the SAFE-Girls initiative will provide safe spaces, peer support networks, and comprehensive sexuality education to help girls build agency and overcome challenges like early marriage and limited access to education. The project also focuses on enhancing gender-based violence response services.
At the launch event, ministers and government officials expressed strong support for the SAFE-Girls project, emphasizing the importance of empowering adolescent girls to overcome harmful practices and gender-based violence. They committed to collaborating to create a supportive environment for the growth and development of young women. The event was chaired by Mr. Ana Prasad Neupane, with notable attendees including Minister Janamajaya Timilsina, Member Basanti Neupane, and DDC Chief Baburam Acharya., according to the release.
UNFPA Nepal Representative, Won Young Hong, emphasized the importance of building on the lessons learned from existing relevant programmes of UNFPA and innovate interventions further to equip women and adolescent girls to be able to make informed decisions about their bodies and lives even after the project ends. "The SAFE-Girls initiative is a collective effort that unites government institutions, international partners, community leaders, and young people to drive meaningful and lasting change," he said.
Plan International's Country Director, Ram Kishan, emphasized the initiative's role in breaking societal barriers for adolescent girls. Government ministers from Lumbini Province expressed strong support for the project, committing to collaborate for its success.
