Media Coverage of a Day Training on Role of Media on Post Conflict Situation

A day training workshop in 9 August 2014 was jointly organized by Action Works Nepal (www.actionworksnepal.com) and PACE Nepal (www.pacenepal.org) in Khalanga, Jumla. The key objective was to increase responsibility among journalists, activists and media about the process of peace and post conflict situation. It was facilitated by Mr. Andrew Tchie, PhD Research Fellow and consultant at UNDP and associate fellow at the University of Essex, London, UK and Ms. Radha Paudel, Founder/President, Action Works Nepal. The discussed subjects were; causes of media bias, spinning the news, principles of the journalism, minimize harm, reporting during conflict role of journalists during conflict, through small group exercises (games) question answers, mind mapping exercise, lectures, film, video and discussion were used throughout the three days training workshop. There were 10 participants actively involved from local media; print media, radio, federation of journalists. This program is covered by local news papers, radios and social media. It was appreciated by all stakeholders and requested to organize more longer and broad workshop soon. It was organized as voluntary efforts of Action Works Nepal, PACE Nepal and facilitators (zero funding).

A three day training workshop was conducted on 7-9 August 2014, jointly organized by Action Works Nepal (www.actionworksnepal.com) and PACE Nepal (www.pacenepal.org) in Khalanga, Jumla.  A key objective of the training workshop was train and teaches stakeholders on how to make responsible in their roles as peace building mediators and factor of peace. It is facilitated by Mr. Andrew Tchie, a PhD Research Fellow and Consultant at UNDP and associate fellow at the University of Essex, London, UK and Ms. Radha Paudel, Founder/ President of Action Works Nepal. There were total 20 participants actively involved from NGOs, government, media and cooperatives in Jumla. Small group exercises (games) question answers, mind mapping exercise, lectures, film, video and discussion were used throughout the three days training workshop. Facilitators noticed that more enthusiasm due to having first time of such training in Jumla.  The key concepts such as peace building, peacemaking, conflict analysis, post conflict mapping and transitional justice were discussed. Likewise, the six components of peace building were discussed thoroughly and contextualize at local level. Participants also did mind map exercise on issues of conflict where they identified following issues; gender based violence, poor education, caste discrimination, poor health practices, traditional harmful practices (Chhaupadi, Jari Pratha, early marriage, polygamy), suicide, drug addiction, alcoholism, child labor, unorganized urbanization, lack of trust towards the political leaders and NGO workers, lack of transportation, power, sanitation and hygiene, unemployment,  lack of accountability among local government bodies, lack of mechanization in farming and other daily activities. Group also identified the contributing for conflict; unemployment, caste discrimination, domestic violence, deforestation where as the rest of the factors are could be the associated factors for conflict. They also discussed on four components of transitional justice; truth, reparation, justice and sustainability of peace. At last but not least, it is all voluntary contribution by Action Works Nepal, PACE Nepal and facilitators (zero funding).

Action Works Nepal Celebrates Menstrual Hygiene Day

May 28th, 2014, AWON celebrated Menstrual Hygiene Day by organizing different programs with the school children of Lamra VDC of Jumla.

It was the very first Menstrual Hygiene Day celebrated throughout the world with activities to garner awareness around menstruation, and menstruation hygiene, in addition to celebrating this natural process.  Although the practice of Chhaupadi was outlawed by the Nepali Supreme Court in 2003, many women, especially in rural areas, still observe Chhaupadi.  

Many men were involved in this important discussion about menstruation, including our own Assistant Officer, Kashab Dhital.  Educating and involving men is crucial to gather support for girls and women.  

"Half of the people on the planet are female, most of whom begin their cycles between 9-17 years of age.

Despite menstruation being a natural process that is part of nearly every girl and woman’s life, it is still treated as a taboo in countless cultures and societies across the globe. A profound silence around the topic, combined with a lack of access to information, results in girls and women possessing very little understanding of their own bodies. Many are managing their periods in an unsafe and unhygienic manner, using old rags or other unhygienic and ineffective materials. These problems are exacerbated by limited access to and affordability of hygienic products, safe and private sanitation facilities, inconsistent supplies of water for personal hygiene, and inadequate disposal options.

As a result of the above, menstruating girls and women often feel ashamed and embarrassed about themselves, excarbating the silence because they would rather keep it a secret than talk about it. Facing health problems and socio-cultural taboos surrounding their periods, they become isolated from family, school, and their communities. Women and girls miss school and productive work days, thus falling behind their male counterparts."-Menstrual Hygiene Day

AWON is proud to have been a part of the global dialogue and celebration for Menstrual Hygiene Day.  For more information, please visit http://menstrualhygieneday.org  

Engagement with Community Leaders for Gender and Social Inclusion

Action Works Nepal (AWON), a strategic partner of the Italian Foundation, facilitated three different reflection sessions in Lamra, Dillichaur and Khalanga in Jumla with community leaders and a project team of the Italian Foundation (Fondazione Un Raggio di Luce) from 25 Jan-2 Feb, 2014.

The key objectives of the reflection sessions were to identify the context, particularly the process of project intervention and understanding of team members in order to guide them toward the goal of the project’s log frame. These were very rigorous discussions where participatory tools were practiced: games, role play, question/answer, small group discussion, case studies, songs, and individual work.

The entire discussion ran in a spontaneous manner around the lives of participants and their experiences, personal and professional. The following points were introduced and discussed:

1) group organization and mobilization

2) engagement of women, men, and traditional healers

3) leadership and communication skills

4) facilitation skills

5) concepts of gender: gender based violence (GBV) and gender equality

6) participatory tools: introduction, use, and importance of

7) advocacy skills

8) monitoring and coaching

9) documentation, and success stories

10) reporting and its mechanisms

11) review and reflection meetings

12) capacity building

13) team spirit, and team building

14) organizational positions: admin/finance, GESI and HR policies

15) governance

16) rights based approaches

17) livelihood activities and sustainable approaches

18) coordination

19) chain of command and delegation of authority

20) social inclusion  

21) identification and optimum utilization of local resources   

22) networking

23) code of conduct

24) action planning

Most of these issues were discussed several times to make sure.

Ms. Radha Paudel and Ms. Anita Bhujel worked as facilitators from AWON, whereas Mr. Dhan Bhadur Air provided input in between the discussions.  In the beginning, the participants were seeking components of traditional training such as a schedule or presentations.  Later, they adapted and enjoyed the process. However, they showed resistance to change their behaviors. They have difficulties in their individual lives which greatly impacts their professional lives. In order to enforce the activities, processes, and values which were discussed, The Italian Foundation and AWON have crucial roles to pay special consideration to coaching, and mandate implementation of agreed points, as well as being flexible in providing materials, if required.

AWON suggested one week for BEE group, and two weeks for 4 S, to adjust for grouping and alignment of all ongoing activities.

And last but not least, AWON expresses its most sincere thanks and gratitude to The Italian Foundation for agreeing to be a strategic partner, as well as to all participants who made these 12 days of discussion more productive with fun.  

Media Monitoring on Constitutional Assembly II Election 2013/UNDP

Nepalese and the international community are keenly interested to see the stabilizing effects of Nepal’s politico-economical transition by way of the Constitutional Assembly Election II, 2013 and its greater impact. For this, Action Works Nepal (AWON) has implemented a project entitled ``Media Monitoring on Constitutional Assembly Election II 2013, Nepal under UNDP CONFLICT PREVENTION PROGRAMME (UNDP/CPP)’’ in technical collaboration with OUTLINE Media, a Media partner of AWON.

The main objectives of this partnership is explore the political atmosphere for election from the bottom up: the mind set and accountability of the political parties/leaders, the perception and challenges at the grassroots level in favor of election, participation of poor, excluded and marginalized groups/community in the democratization process through mobilization of various means of media, and evidence based advocacy at national policy discourse for peace building at large.

There are several activities that have influenced Nepali politics.  However the following three programs stand out with a greater impact on Nepali politics and the democratization process. They are:

1) fellowship program where a total of 13 national and popular media houses, via 19 experienced journalists (female 4 and male 15) reached out to 25 districts across all development regions

2) 8 interaction programs with 220 participants benefiting from engaging with media, political parties/leaders, and experts

3) 10 radio programs produced and broadcasted through 10 various local and national radio on national political and democratic concerns 

The product of the fellowship, interaction, and radio programs were largely covered by various national newspapers and online media in Nepali and English so a greater audience could benefit.  All three programs not only educated the stakeholders, but also helped to create accountability for drafting a constitution, and general downwards accountability.  

This project was too short to redress the issues which were geared up by this program. However, it strengthens the democratization process, challenges the political parties and leaders, and extracts the issues.  It needs intensive follow up, continuity of a similar type of dialogue, and interaction at different levels to boost morale of political parties/leaders, civilians, democratic systems, and institutions. Therefore, a long term project is required and hopefully UNDP will follow up on this recommendation.