Quarterly Newsletter from

Japan International JICA Office Cooperation Agency October to December 2011 | VOLUME 63

from the field Engendering development

- Santosh

Dil Maya BK was confined to kitchen and heard. But when household chores until three years ago. the GeMSIP came Like other Dalit women, she had no idea on to our VDC, we are her role in the community and information slowly learning how to access state services. Under compulsion to voice our concerns to stick to the traditional roles of women, and problems. Amid the 38-year-old woman from a socially loads of household excluded group was totally oblivious of the works, we have term ‘gender’. been sparing time to actively involve in Konwar Laxmi Photo: FOR SOCIAL EQUALITY: Mainstreaming issues of gender and Her neighbor, Motikala BK, found herself the social activities,” excluded groups through the Gender Mainstreaming and Social engrossed in daily household works for says Debaka BK, also Inclusion Project (GeMSIP), a technical cooperation project of JICA. years without knowing that inequality based a native of Jagtradevi, on gender roles hinders equity based social which is one of the VDC among Phedikhola Even women from other communities have and economic development of her village. and Archale VDCs of where realized the importance of the inclusion of Like Dil Maya, she is also a Dalit woman Gender Mainstreaming and Social Inclusion Dalit women. “Brahmin women are also of Jagtradevi VDC-2 in Syangja district, Project (GeMSIP), a technical cooperation supporting to increase the number of Dalit who had experienced greater challenges in project of the Government of Nepal (GoN) women in different local groups like Aama accessing rights, benefits and opportunities and the Japan International co-operation Samuha, Women’s cooperative, and User provided by the state for the upliftment of the Agency (JICA), is being implemented. Groups,” says Dil Maya, who is also a disadvantaged communities like theirs. In member of VDC IPC (Integrated Planning their village, neither govt service providers Launched in February 2009 mainly in Committee) of Jagtradevi VDC. The VDC nor they themselves were aware of the fact selected VDCs of Syangja and Morang level IPCs are formed in an inclusive that they were an important agent of change districts, GeMSIP is trying to integrate manner ensuring representation of people until some years ago. However, the scenario gender and social inclusion issues making from socially disadvantaged groups like is gradually improved now with their the whole VDC level development process women, single women, PWDs (People with participation in every activity from ward gender responsive and socially inclusive. Disabilities), Dalit, Adibasi/Janajati, Other level planning to the evaluation process. Debaka BK is among those women who Backward Communities (OBC), children as They have gone beyond their domain of are appreciative to GeMSIP for visible well as NGOs and local political parties in kitchen from the traditional stereotypes of changes their community has seen. the targeted areas. ...contd on Page 2 women from passive to change makers. “Because of the GeMSIP we came to know Today, women here have made significant that there should be gender equality in strides with anchoring role, breaking all the VDC level activities. In our village, Inside through the traditional norms and coming we hadn’t seen any significant progress n JICA Award for Shrestha Page 2 forward to participate in the development even after the government ensured 33 n NPPR Page 3 activities outside their homestead. percent representation of women in every n News in Brief Page 4-5 state organ. Now, after implementation of n A memorable trip Page 6 “Earlier, we didn’t get any chance to lead GeMSIP, we have started executing this n JICA Press Tour Page 7 or represent any development committees. policy into action by ensuring women’s n From the horse’s mouth Page 8 Our voices and opinions were never representation in all local level committees.” Similar are the changes at Phedikhola, a coming out of a low-profile status, has earned the GeMSIP in line with the MoLD policy northern VDC of Syangja dominated by reputation as a woman leader. “I used to have proved to be effective to materialize Janajatis. “Earlier, it was seen that most spend most of my time inside home, but GESI integration in the development of the rural women were not confident now I can voice for women’s representation process, he adds. enough to express themselves in the group and inclusion in every activity. I did so in the meetings. Most of the members were shy recently held Ward meeting too,” she says. Another government official is encouraged and unable to speak up and participate in Through the Ward level planning meetings to see representation of disadvantaged local activities. But now most of them can local communities are identifying their needs groups in ward and VDC level planning express their needs and are calling for equal and problems and also equipping themselves process. This project has developed a opportunities in participation and decision with skills to submit GESI responsive feeling among the excluded groups that making process,” says Maina Gurung of proposals to the VDC. they are exercising inclusive democracy, Phedikhola-2. says Thanapati Neupane, Member Secretary The increasing level of awareness among of GESI IC Syangja and Program Officer After GeMSIP started its activities here, an rural women has helped in speeding up of DDC Syangja. “Realizing the positive inclusive IPC was formed in accordance with development activities, says Syangja LDO impacts of the GeMSIP at the grassroots level, the GoN’s existing policy and guidelines Rammani Bhattarai. He is hopeful that the the DDC Syangja has started expanding on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion project will be expanded to more VDCs. GeMSIP model in 15 LGCDP’s program (GESI) that calls for inclusion of women, “GeMSIP’s process oriented participatory VDCs.” Neupane feels that GeMSIP children, Dalit, PWDs and excluded groups approach ensuring people’s participation, has strengthened the VDCs’ capacity to to ensure their meaningful participation ownership, and good governance, ensure equal and inclusive participation in in the planning process of VDC, said says transparency and accountability is making planning, implementation and monitoring VDC Secretary Shreeram Acharya. a lot of difference at the local level.” GESI of VDCs level activities and services. IC (Gender Equality and Social Inclusion At Archale VDC, also in Syangja where the Implementing Committee), IPCs and Ward (Mr Chhetri is Public Relations Officer of project is picking up pace, Maya Darmali, Citizens Committees established under JICA Nepal)

JICA Award for Shrestha

Chairman of JICA Alumni Association in community Forum of SAARC Countries Chandi Prasad development by Shrestha became the first Nepali national using the network to receive the JICA Recognition Award of JICA Alumni for making noteworthy contribution Association of to the community development and Nepal (JAAN) and conservation of forest and watershed, as also for promoting well as for promoting JICA’s activities in JICA’s activities in the SAARC member countries. On October Nepal,” he said, 21, Chief Representative of JICA Nepal expressing hope Chhetri Santosh Photo: Chief Representative of JICA Nepal Office Mitsuyoshi Kawasaki hands office Mitsuyoshi Kawasaki handed over that Shrestha will over the certificate of JICA Recognition Award to Chandi Prasad Shrestha. the award to Shrestha, who is the former work more actively Home Secretary. Shrestha is among 21 for the economic and social development Shrestha has contributed to JICA projects persons and four organizations from all in Nepal. since he was the Secretary of Ministry of over the world selected for this award. Forest and Soil Conservation. He was the After receiving the award, Shrestha, President of JICA Alumni Association of “In recognition of your many years of thanked JICA for honoring him with Nepal (JAAN) for two terms between 2004 cooperation with the work of Japan this award. “This is indeed a recognition and 2010. He has utilized the JAAN network International Cooperation Agency and for a team work; a recognition for the for community development. your deep understanding of the promotion transformation of an organization in a of international cooperation, I am pleased to dedicated social mobilizing institution; a Tadashi Fujiwara, Charge d’ Affaires at the present to you this certificate of appreciation recognition to address the human needs; a Embassy of Japan, praised Shrestha for his as an expression of our sincere gratitude to recognition for cultivation of collaborative constant support and collaboration in the you,” reads the award certificate signed by approach; and a recognition for harnessing implementation of JICA projects. President of JICA Sadako Ogata. trust and mutual understanding among the people of Japan, Nepal and SAARC Similarly, JAAN President Dr. Dilli R. Shakya JICA Nepal Chief Kawasaki also countries,” he said. “The award has expressed his happiness for the recognition congratulated Shrestha for wining this energized us to work more with synergies of his association’s community development award. “I appreciate his involvement for the better tomorrow of all.” activities. 2 A constructive dialogue for development effectiveness - Ram Bhandari nepal portfolio performance review Photo: Santosh Chhetri Santosh Photo:

The annual meeting of NPPR underway at Hotel Yak & Yeti.

The annual meeting of Nepal Portfolio of programming and implementing It is imperative that the development Performance Review-NPPR ’11 was development cooperation in Nepal–field- cooperation best matches the level of organized on November 17-18. NPPR based approach, integrated assistance, development in the recipient country and has been acting as a dialogue mechanism and capacity development. Furthermore, organization, taking long-term perspective between the Government of Nepal (GoN) it underlined the importance of and offering seamless assistance to ensure and the major Development Partners (DPs) monitoring and evaluation to connect the sustainable development. JICA undertakes operating in Nepal. It is basically focused on policy and program formulation based on the mix of aid instruments namely Technical reviewing the progress of program/project the field realities. The key highlights of Cooperation, Grant Aid and ODA Loan implementation, identifying bottlenecks, JICA’s experiences shared to the NPPR’11 to offer comprehensive support that and agreeing on action plan to address through its background paper are: organically combines such elements as such bottlenecks. It started in 2001 with the policy and institutional improvements; initiation of the Asian Development Bank, National development strategies and Japan Bank for International Cooperation, planning in Nepal often seem to be JICA believes in capacity development as “a and the World Bank. In 2006, the process ambitious as compared to the ground process which enhances partner country’s was led by the Ministry of Finance, GoN realities. To overcome such practices the capacity in managing development issues and later, in 2007, the United Kingdom’s policy/program formulation should be at individual, organizational, institutional Department for International Development based on the field-based experience. The and societal level” by working together with joined the process. Since NPPR ’11, the policies and programs devised at the center counterparts. The capacity development United Nations and European Union also need continuous testing and revision aims to bring out counterparts’ strong joined the process as core DPs. In this way, based on the field experience with due motivations for change from within; and NPPR has witnessed broader participation consideration to improve the development of the stakeholders. conditions, and implement the order-made Findings and results of the existing approach in line with the capacity level monitoring have not been shared and utilized Similarly, the NPPR has also experienced of the counterpart agencies. This needs adequately. Similarly, the feedback to the continuous improvement in terms of its technical cooperation projects working projects is very weak ultimately limiting planning, implementation and monitoring truly at the field level to test the broader the monitoring and reporting to a ritual the progress. Since 2010, periodic policy and program framework; activity. Additionally, the evaluation system progress reviews are conducted with the has not been established or functioning involvement of DPs other than the Core Program-Based Approach is very strong at the central and at the local levels. The DPs. Moreover, since 2010, the action plan at the conceptualization level and setting GoN should practice the monitoring and has been endorsed by the cabinet, thus out broader vision for development evaluation and share the outputs and upgrading the ownership level of GoN. interventions. But, it demands much feedback with the stakeholders at the stronger institutional and individual central and the district levels. Monitoring JICA, after the birth of New JICA, has been capacity base at the operational level. and evaluation mechanism needs to be giving continuity to the NPPR process It needs more analytical capacity and strengthened to ensure quality works and since 2008. JICA started submitting practice, strong feedbacks mechanism, and outputs. Ultimately, if practiced the real its background paper since NPPR ’10 the financial resource base. In this context, cycle of M&E, the policies and programs to reflecting its development assistances to considering the institutional capacity and be formulated will have real-field flavor and Nepal, lessons learned while operating presence of numerous DPs and I/NGOs, ultimately become easier to implement and in Nepal, and extending suggestions Project-Based execution aligning with thus producing intended outcomes. for the effectiveness of development broader Program-Based vision seems to efforts. In the NPPR ’11 annual meet, be the most viable programming option (Mr Bhandari is Senior Aid Coordination JICA shared its governing approaches to Nepal; Advisor of JICA Nepal) 3 news in brief

COMCAP Joint MTR The Joint Mid-Term Review (MTR) of the disputes management mechanism at the Strengthening Community Mediation local level so far. At the end of review, the report signed Capacity for Peaceful and Harmonious Joint Coordination Committee meeting Society Project (COMCAP) was held from was held under chairpersonship of MoLD December 9-27, 2011. A Joint MTR team Joint Secretary Teertha Raj Dhakal. In comprising officials from the Ministry the meeting, both sides discussed on of Local Development (MoLD) and JICA the MTR report and agreed with certain officials examined the progress made changes. Joint Secretary Dhakal, on behalf by the COMCAP visiting project VDCs of the Government of Nepal, and Senior of Sindhuli and Mahottari districts and Representative of JICA Nepal and MTR holding interactions with district officials, Team Leader, Take Toru, on behalf of JICA, trainers and mediators. The team concluded signed the Meeting of Minutes. that the project had introduced an effective

JICA marks joint part in different events on December 5 in and made some contributions IYV+10 celebrations to make the joint volunteer caravan successful in seven different cities of the Coinciding with the 10th International country held on December 7-9. Chief Year of Volunteers (IYV+10), the Volunteer Representative of JICA Nepal Mitsuyoshi Service Agencies organized a series of Kawasaki, volunteer coordinators and events in Nepal with an aim to promote several volunteers attended the official volunteerism, social responsibility and launching ceremony of the State of emotional bonds between the providers World’s Volunteerism Report at the office and recipients of volunteer services. of President Dr Ram Baran Yadav and Caravan as well as National Volunteer JICA Nepal, being an active member Conference in Kathmandu. Kawasaki of the National Steering Committee for also addressed the conference as a guest Volunteerism in Nepal (NSCVN), also took speaker.

Discussions on draft of Participants from Kaski, Syangja, Palpa, Tanahu new media policy and Gorkha attended the session held from 13 The Media for Peace Project (MeP Project) to 15 December 2011, while organized three-day-long workshops in participants from Morang, Pokhara and Biratnagar to disseminate Sunsari, Jhapa, Dharan the draft of new media policy, prepared and Dhankuta joined the by the Ministry of Information and Biratnagar session from 23 Communications, with technical assistance to 25 December 2011. The from JICA/MeP Project, and receive feedback participants held extensive on the draft. Nearly 100 media related discussions on all provisions stakeholders of the Western and Eastern of the draft and came up with valuable disseminate the draft of new media policy Regions took part in the workshops. The feedbacks. The participants expressed and receive feedbacks from them. The draft participants include journalists, owner of happiness to be the part of policy drafting is also being disseminated through the media organizations, representatives of process. MeP Project has been organizing website of the Ministry of Information and organizations working in the field of human workshops, experts meeting and sending Communications (www.moic.gov.np). The rights and peace-building, lawyers and questionnaires to the stakeholders, who feedbacks received from stakeholders will be representatives of civil society organizations. do not take part in such workshops, to incorporated while finalizing the draft.

4 Young leaders training program The 3rd Training Program for Young Leaders for Nepal/Legal System Development Course was conducted in Japan from December 5-21. Seventeen legal practitioners and officers—three from the Ministry of Law and Justice, nine from the Supreme Court, two from of the Office of Attorney General and three from Nepal Bar Association—took part in the training. The participants learned about the situation of Japanese law and problems, the role of justice in District Courts during the training of Law, Japan Federal Bar Association, Japan’s Ministry of Justice, constitution of period. They also visited the Ministry Of Fuchu Prison and Tochigi Prefecture Bar Japan and law making process, criminal Law, Diet (Parliament) of Japan, Tokyo Association. Over the last three years, justice procedure in Japan, criminal District Court, Center for Civil Judgment around 56 individuals have participated in procedure and hearing process on criminal Execution, Waseda University School the Young Leaders training program.

Launching of SMES of Nepal, the Government of Japan is Planning Commission (NPC). On the extending technical cooperation for the occasion, Secretary Bhusal stressed that Phase II second phase of SMES. The SMES Phase SMES Phase II will work to enhance II is a 3.5 years project starting November monitoring and evaluation capacity of NPC, The Project on Strengthening Monitoring 2011. SMES Phase II has formally begun its partner ministries and pilot districts. He and Evaluation System in Nepal (SMES functioning with the holding of 1st Joint also remarked SMES 1 brought positive – 2006 to 2009) was implemented by the Coordination Committee (JCC) meeting. change. Mr. Bhusal extended thanks to the National Planning Commission Secretariat Government of Japan for extending support with the technical cooperation from JICA. The JCC meeting was held on December is such an important endeavor. Mr. Takeshi After the terminal evaluation of the Project, 19 under the chairmanship of Mr. Yuba Kikuchi, Representative of JICA Nepal Office, upon the request from the Government Raj Bhusal, Member Secretary of National explained about major outputs of SMES 1.

jica Volunteers

Teaching vital skills The team shared its activities with the local team felt a small, yet definite process of participants, whose group comprised school awareness awakening and learning from students, teachers, women group, college eco the participants. For the volunteers, too, On December 8, a team of eight JICA club students, and government officials. The they have discovered a great joy of working volunteers named “Team Timro Shahar program featured street drama, song, short as a team, exchanging and combining (Your Town)” set off for an 8-day-long documentary film, quiz contest, road cleaning their individual knowledge towards a Volunteer Caravan with an aim to promote campaign by using recycled materials, good cause. The team is now planning to environmental education. In order to handicraft making and training on waste continue another event this year. encourage awareness of knowing and caring management and proper disposal of garbage. -Namiko Motokawa, JOCV for our own surrounding environment and to demonstrate the importance of waste Overall, the program management, the volunteers, whose working was fruitful for both local field varies from environmental education, participants and the agriculture, community development to early volunteers. Elsewhere child education conducted their program the team received a in four districts of Baglung (at Dauragiri warm welcome with Deaf School), Syangja (Kalitas School and a keen interest from Bhupu Sainik Secondary School), Walling the participants, who (Walling Municipality Office), and Pokhara actively participated in (International Mountain Museum and the event and enjoyed Pokhara Municipality Office). The program the team’s performance was organized with the help of fellow JICA to the fullest. By the volunteers and their local colleagues. end of each day, the Photo: Santosh Chhetri Santosh Photo: 5 which took us almost 4 hours to reach A memorable trip to JPP project sites the project site, again due to bad roads. Barangja nursery was more focused on - Prerana Bishet timber plantation. It was good to know that the VDC is supported by the District Forest Office. Forest Ranger Chandra Mani JPP (JICA Partnership Program) is tika along with the traditional Magar folk Sapkota helped us during the monitoring. a technical cooperation program music played by the locals which felt like a IHC’s other activities were also observed implemented by JICA to contribute to courteous greeting gesture. such as road side plantation and also the the social and economic development of stone fencing. Some of the other activities developing countries at the grass-root level Following this hospitality, we were of IHC Nepal are forestation, handmade in collaboration with partners in Japan such introduced to IHC Nepal staffs, Nar Bahadur paper, nettle fiber based handy crafts as NGOs, universities, local governments Pun (Member Secretary), Chitra Bahadur and highlands honey (bee keeping). We and public cooperation. IHC Japan (Institute Pun (Field Coordinator) and IHC Japan’s were also informed that that every year for Himalayan Conservation) is one of the Project Director T. Tanokura. After the they have been planting 50 to 60,000 tree Japanese NGOs under JPP and its sister introduction, we went to observe the plant saplings specially those of locally available organization (counterpart) is IHC Nepal. nursery in Begakhola, where different kinds species. If the roads were in good condition, IHC is working for nature conservation of pot plants were available— some of them then the villagers could have had many and rural development through the local lemon, salla, sirmu, tuni etc. This particular commercial opportunities to enhance their people’s participation, capacity building nursery functions mainly for agriculture and skills in agro and forest based products and and raising their living standard through forestry. A nursery leader (naike) is in charge to increase their income. But since access income generation programs in the of taking care of plants and is responsible to roads is only seasonal (mainly in dry Himalayan rural mountain area. for the collection of different types of seeds. season) anybody can notice year-round He distributes the plants to the households struggle of local people. JICA monitors JPP projects quarterly. For for free according to demands however, the same cause, I had an opportunity to visit in future he has some plans to collect Rs 1 Lastly, IHC staffs were kind enough to the project sites of IHCJ/N at Begakhola from each plastic pot so that the money show us the landscape of the Dahulagiri and Barangja VDCs in in can be utilized for the development of the and Annapurna mountain range from Dhaulagiri zone. Since this was my first nursery. He guided us with the plants and one of the spot of Barangja. As I captured trip to Myagdi, I was pretty thrilled to visit about the uses of some plants. According the range in my camera, I was stuck the new place. Though Begakhola is about to IHC, they have already planted 760,000 for a moment with serenity and I felt 12 kilometers away from Myagdi, it took us trees in the Western Region of Nepal, miraculously on top of the world. almost 3 hours to reach our destination due thereby contributing to improve the lives to bad condition of roads. As we reached, of local people and regional revitalization. (Ms Bishet is working with JICA Nepal, the locals welcomed us with garlands and On the second day, we traveled to Barangja NGO Desk)

A majestic view seen from Begakhola village of Myagdi district.

6 Photo: Prerana Bishet Prerana Photo: jica nepal press tour 2011

The Press Tour, organized from December 7 to 9, was designed to provide select journalists with insights into issues that are of contemporary interest within the field of development. The aim was is to raise awareness among the media of JICA’s activities by giving journalists the chance to see first-hand how projects are delivered, interact with local beneficiaries, and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges that JICA is working to address in Nepal. The Kali Gandaki ‘A’ Project, School Health and Nutrition Project, Gender Mainstreaming and Social Inclusion Project in Syangja district and activities of volunteers in Pokhara were included in the tour.

An officer of the DDC Syangja informing the members of JICA Nepal Press Journalists inside the power house of the Kaligandaki ‘A’ Tour 2011 about the activities carried out by Gender Mainstreaming and Hydroelectric Project. Social Inclusion Project (GeMSIP) in Syangja district. Photos: Santosh Chhetri Santosh Photos:

A student of -based Shree Sarba Shakti Primary Namiko Motokawa, a Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer, informing School in Syangja being interviewed by TV journalists. journalists about the JICA Volunteer Environmental Caravan Project, in Pokhara.

7 Journalists, officials of the Kaligandaki project and JICA staff posing for a group picture. press tour feedback

Thank you JICA An unforgettable tour

I am deeply As a member of the Press Tour, I found it an important opportunity indebted to the to learn about various community programs supported by JICA. JICA Nepal office for organizing a The School Health and Nutrition Project and the Gender wonderful Press Mainstreaming and Social Inclusion Project in Syangja district Tour. The tour have been bringing about tangible changes in the lives of the not only refreshed target groups. the participating journalists, but The Kali Gandaki ‘A’ Hydropower Project, the largest power also provided project in operation in Nepal, has not only contributed to the me with an overall development of Nepal but has also helped in improving opportunity to write on many issues. My lives of the people living in its vicinity. long-held dream to see the Kaligandaki ‘A’ project came true. I want to specially thank Another memorable part of the tour was that all the JICA staff, officials of DDC and Santosh Chhetri as well as Akio Endo DEO Syangja, Kaligandaki ‘A’ Project, school teachers, guardians, social mobilisers and and Laxmi Konwar of the JICA Nepal for volunteers were very friendly and cooperative. accompanying us during the entire tour. Ballav Dahal, Associate Editor After this tour, I knew that efforts made The Rising Nepal by the Government of Japan to support Nepal by providing grants, technical cooperation and loans deserve high praise. Waiting for more JICA volunteers have been cementing ties between people of Nepal and Japan. Cooperation to Nepal through volunteer Special thank goes to JICA Nepal for giving me a great opportunity program continuously for the past 40 years to visit its project areas in Kaski and Syangja districts. The Press is no mean feat. Hats off to JICA volunteers Tour left a lasting impression on me. I am impressed with various for working with Nepali people and the JICA-funded projects there. Among them, GeMSIP, School government! Health Nutrition Program, JICA volunteer program are really effective at the grassroot level. People in the remote areas have The projects of JICA in Syangja district— been benefited by these programs. I covered and made several GeMSIP and SHNP—has been greatly news stories, which Nepal broadcast in its Prime News benefitting women, children and others. bulletins. As Nepal is facing load shedding, we need another project like Kaligandaki ‘A’. I During my interactions with local people, I found people hope JICA will build another hydropower cherishing JICA projects. I would certainly love to avail myself of such opportunities in project like Kaligandaki in future. future too.

Nirmala Acharya, Chief Editor Ram Prasad Bhandari, Senior News Editor National News Agency Nepal Television

Japan International Cooperation Agency Nepal Office

Karmachari Sanchaya Kosh Building, Hariharbhavan, Lalitpur P.O. Box 450, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: 977-1-5010310 Fax: 977-1-5010284 Website: www.jica.go.jp/nepal/english Email: [email protected]

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