Gender Equality and Women’S Empowerment in the Post-Earthquake (As of 12/9/2016) Recovery and Reconstruction Process in Nepal

GENDER GENDERRecovery EQUALITY UPDATE NO 9 and1 EQUALITY Reconstruction UPDATE No. 9 Special Edition

Consolidated by UN Women in collaboration with Summary of key updates, facts and figures, initiatives, progress, challenges, needs and the National Reconstruction Authority opportunities related to gender equality and women’s empowerment in the post-earthquake (as of 12/9/2016) recovery and reconstruction process in Nepal. THE NATIONAL RECONSTRUCTION AUTHORITY AND Governance and accountability: 1Establishment of a GESI Unit in THE POST-DISASTER RECOVERY FRAMEWORK the NRA to ensure integration of GESI measures for all recovery and reconstruction processes and ensure women’s leadership and participation during planning, implementation and monitoring of recovery and reconstruction efforts at national, regional and district levels;

Integrated protection and support for 2women and girls, children, PLWD, people living with HIV, and senior citizens and issues around human trafficking and support to preventing sexual and gender- based violence: special conditional cash support for individual household NRA Executive Member, Dr. Bishnu Bhandari, Home Minister, Mr. Shakti Bahadur Basnet and then Acting Chairperson reconstruction to be used for hiring of the National Women Commission, Ms. Manu Humagain at National Conference on Gender-Responsive Disaster Management organised by Women’s Groups. Photo Credit: UN Women/ Monica Upadhay labour; community-based psychosocial counselling, and anti-trafficking for nder the leadership of the Ministry of grounded in the Constitution of Nepal and women’s leadership, participation and UWomen, Children and Social Welfare aligned with the vision of the Sustainable awareness programmes, and for skill (MoWCSW), UN Women as sector Development Goals (SDGs) and The development and livelihood enhancement lead development partner supported Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk support; the drafting of the Gender Equality and Reduction (2015–2030)3. The principal Social Inclusion (GESI) chapter for the GESI strategies are: Support to PLWDs: establishment Post-Disaster Recovery Framework • Ensure significant participation of 3of rehabilitation centres, provision of (PDRF)1 as well as its sector plans women, vulnerable and marginalised accessory devices and support for skill and financial projections and provided groups; development and livelihood enhancement GESI inputs to key sectoral chapters to • End all forms of violence against and the provision of PLWD identity inform the government’s recovery and women, girls and boys; documents; reconstruction work led by the National • Provide protective service-oriented Reconstruction Authority (NRA). The programming for women, vulnerable Construction and rehabilitation; GESI sector team experts included UNDP, and marginalised groups; and 4and child protection: construction UNFPA, UNICEF, ADB, IOM, WB and • Enhance awareness-raising and of Women and Children Office (WCO) Handicap International. On behalf of the capacity development and addressing buildings, children’s homes, safe Government of Nepal, the NRA led the the specific needs of women, development of the PDRF with technical vulnerable and marginalised groups. support from the UN Agencies, the World Bank, ADB, EU, JICA, USAID and other ased on the PDNA key development partners. On behalf of Brecommendations, lessons derived the UN system, UNDP provided overall from the Inter-Cluster Gender Working technical and secretariat support. Group (October 2015), and PDRF consultation with GoN and CSO he strategic vision of the cross-cutting stakeholders on 25 March 2016, key TGESI sector is to support closing the recommendation on GESI were included development gaps related to gender, in the PDRF in the areas of coordination, social group and geographical location participation, representation and economic through effective mainstreaming of GESI empowerment. strategies throughout the recovery and reconstruction process. This strategic he priority recovery programming as vision builds on the Post Disaster Needs Tstated in the GESI section of the PDRF Assessment (PDNA)2 and has a strong is as follows: orientation towards the most excluded, marginalized and vulnerable groups. It is

1 http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/PDRF%20Report_FINAL10May.pdf and http://nra.gov.np/uploads/docs/AStGGdnejZ160823113341.pdf 2 http://www.worldbank.org/content/dam/Worldbank/document/SAR/nepal/PDNA%20Volume%20A%20Final.pdf 3 http://www.preventionweb.net/files/43291_sendaiframeworkfordrren.pdf 2 GENDER EQUALITY UPDATE NO 9 houses for GBV survivors, rehabilitation centres for trafficking survivors, women’s cooperative centres, and adolescent information and counselling centres;

Support to senior citizens: 5establishment of old age houses, day care centres, and provision of training with start-up support resources.

he GESI section of the PDRF has Tan estimated budget of 4,525 million NPR for its five year work plan with 9 planned priority programmes. As of June 2016, a GESI Technical Expert has been seconded to the NRA by UN Women to support the implementation of the PDRF GESI recommendations. The Gender “Learning by Doing”, female participants are learning the Build Back Safer 10 Key Messages. Gati, Sindhupalchok Photo Responsive Budgeting expert seconded Credit: IOM to the Ministry of Finance by UN Women is providing technical expertise to the Government including the NRA on the KEY ADVOCACY EFFORTS Gender responsive programmes integration of GRB in their planning and ey women’s groups in Nepal 2should be finalised on the basis of budgeting processes. K(Jagaran Nepal, Home Net South the needs as well as the circumstances Aisa, Beyond Beijing Committee, of the local women and address the draft ToR for the NRA GESI Unit and Feminist Dalit Oragnisation, Media special practical and strategic needs of A concept note for the roll-out of the Advocacy Group, Women for Human women, and by guaranteeing te rights of GESI component of the PDRF have been Rights - Single Women’s Group, Forum people of all ages, gender, class, ethnicity, developed and are being implemented in for Women, Law and Development and indigenous nationality, religion, sexual coordination with sectoral ministries. SAATHI) are collectively advocating orientation, gender identity, physical and for the integration of gender equality mental disabilities, and marital status. n orientation programme was and women’s empowerment in disaster Aconducted with NRA officials to recovery, reconstruction and preparedness We appeal to relevant actors involved sensitise them on GESI concerns and efforts in Nepal. The Women’s Groups 3in human resource development recommendatons contained in the organized a National Conference on and all other concerned programmes PDRF, including the need for targeteted Gender Responsive Disaster Management for reconstruction and rehabilitation to programme interventions for women, in Nepal4 on 1-2 March 2016. The main address the needs and special conditions vulnerable and marginalised groups. objective of the conference was to bring of women (menstruation, pregnancy and together the voices of women from 14 maternity) and different types of needs consultation was conducted between earthquake affected districts to enable of women with special health conditions ANRA officials, including Executive them to advocate collectively for their (with physical or mental disabilities, Members, and representatives from needs before key stakeholders working those who are HIV positive, and single organisations working with persons with on disaster recovery, reconstruction and older women), to follow the guiding physical disabilities. The discussion and DRR. The National Conference principles of “leaving no one behind” for highlighted the need for disability-friendly was partially supported by IM Swedish sustainable development 2016-2030, infrastructure and income generating Development Partner and UN Women. and to run these programmes in way that activites for their livelihood improvement. The conference concluded with a 15-point guarantees substantial gender equality by Kathmandu Declaration that was endorsed ensuring women’s human rights, dignity he NRA’s guidelines related to the by government authorities, media, and and self-respect. Reconstruction Community Committee T development partners. The Declaration 2016 has a provision requiring at least was published in the media on 12 May 42% representation of women at the We strongly demand that 2016 and presented during a Discussion settlement level and at least 37% at 4the earthquake recovery and the VDC/Municipality level. The NRA Program on the Disaster Management Bill reconstruction efforts be managed as enforced the guidelines on Recovery organized by the Forum for Women, Law per the principle of “build back better and Reconstruction Training Conduction and Development with key parliamentarians and safer” to make gender-, age- and and Management, 2016 which prioritises on 20 May 2016. The 15-point Kathmandu disability- friendly physical and social youth, single women, persons living with declaration was submitted to the Home structures, address gender inequalities disabilities, and representation of excluded Minister and the CEO of the NRA and and take this as an opportunity to build and disadvantaged groups as training include the following key points: relations with people of various sexual participants. The NRA’s NGO mobilisation orientations and gender identities. guidelines of 2016 include provisions for The “National Reconstruction Authority” the role of NGOs in conducting capacity 1to draft and implement necessary Special measures should be development programmes for the policies and plans to ensure gender 5adopted to guarantee 50% women’s mainstreaming of disadvantaged groups. equality, as well as proportional and participation at all levels and phases of inclusive participation (50:50) in gender disaster management in order to utilise responsive disaster management. their knowledge and skills in disaster

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management and challenge the notion shoudl be provided for those who return Evaluation framework that integrates GESI that women are not only helpless and from work abroad. measures for all recovery and reconstruction victims only, instead promoting women related activities, projects and programmes; as change agents and decision As many men are abroad, women and makers. 12face particular challenges accessing services. Women lack citizenship Ensure proper GESI-friendly We demand equal collaboration certificates, do not have access to 3communication towards citizens about 6with women NGOs for disaster information or legal assistance, and do not service entitlement in the framework of management and their 50% have ownership over land or house. Many recovery and reconstruction, including participation and share in all levels, women also lack the earthquake victim about the functioning of an independent sectors, processes, opportunities and ID card provided by the Government, Grievance Redress Mechanism. These results. and as a result have been deprived of recommendations echo consolidated the services and support provided by recommendations by the UN and Ensure gender equality, the Government.To address this issue Development Partners submitted to the NRA 7social security and gender immediately provision should be made in December 2015. responsiveness in the contents of to provide women with all necessary media while disseminating disaster- documents to access essential services. related information in the media he Japan International Cooperation and ensure women’s access to In accordance with the “Sendai TAgency (JICA) together with the Ministry information. 13Framework for DRR 2015-2030” to of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Women, adopt gender, age, disability and cultural Children and Social Welfare organized a We appeal tfor relevant actors sensitivity in all policies and practices and seminar on “Thinking Together: Way forward 8to carry out gender sensitivity promote women’s and youth leadership, to integrate GESI perspectives in DRR - orientations in order to prevent and necessary provisions should be made to Experience from Nepal and Japan” on 26th respond to violence that could take strengthen the role of women and girls in May 2016 in Kathmandu. The seminar place in times of disaster and disaster community disaster resilience. resulted in the following key conclusions: management such as trafficking, rape and sexual exploitation, and The principle of gender responsive It is important to have GESI responsive adopt legal, administrative and other 14budgeting should be followed in all 1 policies and secure certain percentages measures to stop and eliminate processes of disaster management and of participation of women and people of discriminatory conduct based on a separate fund should be established in various social diversities in decision making sexual orientation and gender identity. order to address the specific situation of bodies to ensure that their voices are heard oppressed and/or neglected women. in the formulation of reconstruction plans. We demand that reconstruction There is also a need for investment in 9efforts are carried out in a way Teachers in every school in every capacity building. that fulfills the basic needs and 15district should be provided with special needs of women of all ages, knowledge on psychosocial support, Interventions to empower women and physical and mental abilities and of and every school should have at least 2 build their leadership should also engage all situations (lactating, pregnancy, one female and one male psychosocial men and other family members to create menstruation), as well as their social counsellor. In addition, gender-responsive an enabling environment. Engagement of and cultural needs, and that protects disaster management should be included youth, especially boys, is important to create and promotes their traditional skills in the school and university curriculum. an enabling environment. and knowledge. Creation of women only spaces in Women with mental and n April 2016, the GESI Working Group of 3communities can be entry points for 10physical disabilities, Dalits, Ithe International Development Partners’ building women’s leadership. Ward citizen the poor, the vulnerable and the Group (IDPG), co-chaired by USAID and forums can be used to empower women and oppressed should be given special UN Women including GESI focal points influence plans. opportunities to work in reconstruction, from IDPG members, prepared a GESI and priority should be given to their code of conduct for reconstruction that Establishment of information centres, education, health, employment and was submitted to the NRA. The key policy 4dissemination of information and talk self-employment. Special provisions messages include: programmes on gender equality can all should be made for earthquake contribute positively to empower women. survivor girl children with disabilities. Address the specific needs of women, 1men, boys and girls equally, with he District GESI Working Groups in As it has been found that the an emphasis on the most vulnerable TGorkha and Sindhupalchok led by 11 materials and support provided and excluded groups, by ensuring their the Women and Children Office continue to women in the course of relief, meaningful representation and leadership to regularly convene key stakeholders reconstruction and recovery efforts in all aspects of the recovery and for information sharing, coordination and benefit all the members of the family, reconstruction process; joint advocacy on GESI aspects of post- The distribution of relief should occur earthquake recovery and reconstruction. through women. Provision of support Establish a well-resourced GESI should be made for families who have 2Unit (in terms of finance and difficulties in managing two square human resources) within the National meals a day and those who are Reconstruction Authority to ensure compelled to leave the country for a coordinated and sound Planning, work, and equal opportunity for work Implementation, Monitoring and 4 GENDER EQUALITY UPDATE NO 9

KEY HIGHLIGHTS FROM using the 2015 earthquakes in Nepal as Link government grants and loans with a case study from which lessons can be 5 policies to register the house/land in ASSESSMENTS/STUDIES drawn for other contexts. It identifies the the name of both husband and wife to risks posed by gender-blind humanitarian ensure joint ownership; epal Community Feedback Project programming, the need to understand NReport on Reconstruction9 based the multiple intersecting dimensions Ensure women’s access to cash on survey conducted in June 2016 with of vulnerability, as well as the key 6 transfers and other benefits provided feedback collected from communities challenges in operationalising national by the State to earthquake survivors, (2,100 respondents) across 14 earthquake and local gender and conflict-sensitive by helping them with the necessary affected districts on reconstruction programming. documentation process; related issues. Results indicate that while there have been small improvements in uilding Back Right: Ensuring equality Local women’s groups and women’s reconstruction knowledge and information, Bin land rights and reconstruction in 7 networks must be mobilized effectively a large proportion of respondents are still Nepal” (April 2016)12 by Oxfam produced to help identify those particularly affected unaware of when and how they will get in partnership with the Humanitarian by disaster and to ensure that nobody is support (51%), and also how to rebuild Accountability Monitoring Initiative, the left behind; safely (44%). Among different groups, Himalayan Conservation Group, the there has been a consistent correlation National Network of Community Disaster It is critical to develop/collect gender observed between age and perception of Management Committees Nepal, and 8disaggregated data at every stage of being informed. As age increases, feelings the Community Self-Reliance Centre preparedness relief and response, and of being informed, either about support Nepal. As post-earthquake reconstruction communicate in relevant local languages or safe construction decrease. Similarly, continues, this paper looks at land rights to promote shared vision. an equivalent correlation is observed and resettlement, and considers Nepal’s between gender and information. Women opportunity to ‘build back better’ and isaster, Disability and Difference: consistently feel less informed than men ensure greater land equality, especially DA Study of the Challenges Faced on all issues. A key recommendation is for marginalized people, such as Dalits, by Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in to improve targeted communications on indigenous groups (Janajatis), many of Post-Earthquake Nepal6. The report was reconstruction support and safe building whom are also landless, and women. prepared by Social Science Baha and practices to women, senior citizens and published with the assistance of UNDP persons with disabilities to ensure they are uilding Back Better and Safer for in Nepal and the National Federation of equally able to access support. BGender Equality5 report published the Disabled Nepal. This research-based jointly by the Embassy of Australia, report seeks to empirically assess the UN Women and Sancharika Samuha contemporary landscape of disability As age increases, feelings of based on a series of consultations with in Nepal, with a focus on the unique being informed about recovery and key stakeholders from the Government challenges faced by PwDs in the wake reconstruction support decrease. (ncluding the NRA), Development of the earthquakes that devastated Partners, the UN, NGOs, INGOs and Nepal in April and May of 2015. The Similarly, an equivalent correlation CSOs. The report was submitted to study highlighted several issues related is observed between gender and the NRA with key recommendations to gender and disability. For example, information. Women consistently derived from stakeholder consultations. there are stark gendered differences in feel less informed than men on all Recommendations from the report marital status between men and women issues. include: with disabilities, as 75.6% of the men with disabilities surveyed were married Ensure women are members of the compared to only 43.2% of women with ousing, land and property issues in 1 NRA’s executive committees and of disabilities; further 32% of WwDs in HNepal and their consequences for the local level structures within the broader the survey were widowed, divorced, or post-earthquake reconstruction process NRA framework with input into the separated. As a woman with disabilities (February 2016)10 report by Care Nepal. decision making process; from Sindhupalchok states: “Even if men This report warns that reconstruction in have disabilities they have an inheritance. Nepal following the 2015 earthquakes Establish a formal mechanism where But we women don’t. That is why a man might leave some earthquake-affected 2well-established common women’s with a disability can marry an abled people behind, including very vulnerable groups at the community level can have woman”. ones such as squatters, undocumented their voice heard within the local level citizens or owners without a formal NRA structures, and actively train women he Nepal Gender Profile and District land title. The report highlights land in non-traditional roles such as masonry TGender Profiles for Gorkha and use planning as a necessary step in and carpentry; Sindhupalchok7 were updated in close reconstruction, and recommends specific coordination with the Inter-Cluster Gender actions to allow progressive rights to Focus on establishing gender friendly Working Group, co-chaired by UN OCHA become effective in practice. 3safe spaces/centres and potential and UN Women and the District Gender linkages for delivering livelihood trainings Equality and Social Inclusion Working uilding back better or restoring in the enrollment centres; Groups led by the Women and Children Binequalities? Gender and conflict Office. sensitivity in the response to Nepal’s Conduct gender orientation trainings 2015 earthquakes” (April 2016)11 by 4for existing NRA members and for epal Community Feedback Report International Alert. This report is based on engineers at both national and district Non protection related issues Phase research into the gender dimensions of levels; 2 Round 2 (August 2016)8 with 2,100 humanitarian interventions in post-conflict residents from the 14 most earthquake settings from a peacebuilding perspective, affected districts. When asked questions

5 http://asiapacific.unwomen.org/en/news-and-events/stories/2016/03/building-back-better-and-safer-for-gender-equality 6 http://www.np.undp.org/content/nepal/en/home/library/crisis_prevention_and_recovery/disaster-disability-difference-PWDs-post-quake2016.html 7 http://un.org.np/thematicareas/disasterpreparedness/erp 8 http://cfp.org.np/uploads/documents/protection-phase-2-round-2.pdf and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3qTNF5ajz0 GENDER EQUALITY UPDATE NO 9 5

scheme, IOM has engaged 5,755 local labourers, including 2,492 (44%) women participants. In total, IOM has distributed NPR 66,974,095 (NPR 29,468,602 to women), contributing to increase household income and supporting families to meet their basic needs. The IOM field team worked closely with the protection cluster, the Gender Working Group, local authorities and communities to ensure the equal participation of women. Similarly, participants were provided general training on safe demolition techniques and reuse of debris. A team leader was assigned to a group of 10-15 people to ensure safety protocols were followed and to avoid any cases of abuse and or exploitation; regular monitoring that was conducted by IOM field staff to this end. In coordination with the Government of Nepal and the Housing Reconstruction and Recovery Platform (HRRP), IOM is providing support to facilitate safer owner driven reconstruction to enhance communities’ resilience to disaster. IOM roving teams are delivering at VDC level Build Back Safer (BBS) Awareness Livelihood training (Improvement of women household vegetation) in Irkhu in Sindhupalchok. Photo Trainings and providing toolkits, which Credit: JICA will help families rebuild their homes in a safer manner. The training focuses on the BBS 10 Key Messages, which address the specifically related to protection information on gender, protection and integration of construction techniques that themes (such as violence, tensions, GBV related issues within the population will mitigate the impact of natural hazards, discrimination and mistreatment etc), displaced due to the earthquake. As per namely strong winds, earthquakes higher than average responses are the latest DTM Round 7 report of May and floods. During the trainings, men observed by Dalit respondents. In 2016, the current 78 camp sites are and women participants learned safer Dolakha, 19% of respondents said hosting an estimated 4,628 households construction key messages by practicing there is a problem with violence in their (21,315 people): 10,749 female, 10,566 with demonstration models and materials. community; which is nearly 4 times male and 2,349 children under the age As of July 2016, the IOM BBS Awareness the national average. Respondents of 5. Training programme reached 14,168 in Sindhupalchok and Gorkha also affected families and participants in 24 indicated higher than average levels am alone (July 2016) policy paper VDCs and 10 IDP sites in three districts; of violence within their communities, at by Oxfam and Women for Human I including 5,611 female (40%), and 8,556 11% and 9 % respectively. Only 19% Rights - Single Women Group.14 The male participants. of respondents overall reported having paper reports that existing gender provided feedback to the Government on inequalities in Nepal meant that single the recovery and reconstruction process, women were particularly affected in the Ms. Bishnu Kumari Khatri, a and 15 % to I/NGOs. It was found that aftermath of the earthquake, received widowed single mother from Petku women are much less likely than men inadequate assistance and that their VDC, Sindhupalchok district, who to provide feedback. The main reasons concerns and needs were not heard. participated in IOM’s Build Back cited by respondents include not feeling It provides recommendations on how anyone will listen, not feeling like it to ensure recovery efforts can promote Safer Awareness training in April will change anything and not knowing improved conditions for single women 2016, stated: “The April 25th where or how to provide feedback. Key in Nepal and ensure their increased earthquake destroyed one side recommendations are: 1) protection resilience and engagement in disaster of my house and the aftershock partners should look into higher levels preparedness. on the 26th destroyed the entire of perceived violence in communities in Dolakha, Sindhupalchok and Gorkha, KEY PROGRAMME house. I still need to rebuild my and 2) all recovery and reconstruction small house. In today’s training, partners should scale up their efforts to EFFORTS we learned how to make a solid make feedback channels accessible to foundation for a house by tying communities and to demonstrate to those SAFE DEMOLITION AND stones together at the corner of communities that their voice is being RECONSTRUCTION heard and explain how their feedback the wall and between the walls. impacts decisions. s of 31 July 2016, IOM safely We had heard about this concept Ademolished and/or cleared debris from before, but now we know how to he Displacement Tracking Matric 702 damaged structures in Sindhupalchok, do it.” T(DTM) assessments13 continue to be Dolakha, Dhading and Gorka districts. conducted on a regular basis capturing Through the Cash for Work (CfW)

9 http://www.cfp.org.np/uploads/documents/Reconstruction-%20Round%202.pdf and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNaupKKc97g 10 http://insights.careinternational.org.uk/publications/housing-land-and-property-issues-in-nepal-and-their-consequences-for-the-post-earthquake-reconstruction-process 11 http://www.international-alert.org/resources/publications/building-back-better-or-restoring-inequalities#sthash.W2rv9GVn.aUE1TKsb.dpuf 6 GENDER EQUALITY UPDATE NO 9

DWSS Users Committees.

ICA partnered with the Chautara JWomen and Children Office (WCO) to distribute construction safety kits to more than 4,000 households, mainly female headed households, who were recognized as eligible for housing reconstruction support in Chautara, Sindhupalchok in April and May 2016. The project aimed to ensure the safety of house owners (mainly women) while reconstructing their houses and to engage them in reconstruction work for income generation. JICA’s support for the reconstruction of Amppipal Hospital in Palungtar municipality in Gorkha was initiated on 27 July 2016. The hospital Mithe Kaami, a 51 year old widow (4th from the left) from Sindhupalchok district was one plays an important role in providing of the participants of the first training group that participated in the 50 day mason training health care including maternity, delivery through the Helvetas REAP project and reconstructed her own house together with her and birth care in the western part of fellow trainees with financial support from the project in May-June 2016. Photo Credit: Gorkha district. At the ground breaking Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation Nepal ceremony on July 27, many participants he HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation women who think they cannot including Dr. Kshitiz Chandra Paudel, TNepal has been implementing the manage to rebuild their house by the Medical Director of Amppipal “Rehabilitation of facilities of Earthquake themselves.14 Hospital expressed their gratitude for Affected People (REAP) project from JICA’s support which will ensure a August 2015 to January 2018 in brighter future of the hospital and further Under component 2, in the process of Sindhupalchok district. The project has developments in the field of health and the reconstruction and rehabilitation used a social vulnerability scorecard to hygiene in Nepal. The reconstruction of the DWSS, the project has focused ensure a targeted selection of people from project budget of NRs 70 million was on connecting private taps into 3,000 vulnerable communities including single donated by JICA, and the reconstruction households, to lessen the workload women with children under five years of will take 13 months to complete. JICA of women. Women represent 40 % of age as project beneficiaries.The project has pledged to reconstruct the main participants in the executive committee has two components: 1) mason training building of the Paropakar Maternity and of the 22 DWSS Users Committees. followed by reconstruction of 1000 houses Women’s Hospital in Kathmandu. Based HELVETAS has incorporated basic and 2) rehabilitation of the 32 Drinking on the current plan, the reconstruction is sessions on women’s unpaid care work, Water Supply Schemes (DWSS). expected to start at the beginning of 2017 gender equality and social inclusion within Under component 1, the project has and be completed around June 2018.16 the technical training sessions for the focused on rebuilding the houses of the vulnerable including single women who Micro-entrepreneur cart from Rasuwa. Photo Credot: Mr. Sanjay Pariyar, Field Monitoring Officer, are unable to reconstruct their house by Field Office Chautara, UNDP themselves. Up to July 2016, the REAP project has trained 10 women mason trainees among 139 men. For example: Mithe Kaami, a 51 year old widow from Sindhupalchok district was one of the participants of the first training group that participated in the 50 days mason training through the REAP project and reconstructed her own house together with her fellow trainees with financial support from the project in May-June 2016. As the participation of women in mason training was difficult, HELVETAS requested Mithe to share her experience with other single women and demonstrate that it is doable.

Mithe explained “Initially I found it difficult to rebuild my house but now I have done it, I can share my experience with other single women.” Mithe has now agreed to be the project ground ambassador to share her experience with single

12 http://reliefweb.int/report/nepal/building-back-right-ensuring-equality-land-rights-and-reconstruction-nepal 13 All DTM reports and products are available at http://www.cccmnepal.org/DTM 14 https://nepal.helvetas.org/en/news/case_studies/climate_change_and_disaster_risk_management/encouragement_for_the_project/ GENDER EQUALITY UPDATE NO 9 7

mainly focused on vulnerable female- headed households in Gorkha and Sindhupalchok. The program has two components: 1) improvement of maize and potato cultivation (target VDCs in Gorkha,: Bagdanda, Nareshwar, Muchok, Simjung, Kharibot, Barpak and target VDCs in Sindhupalchok: Talamarang, Irkhu, Bansbari, Mankha, Maneshwara, Thokarpa) and 2) improvement of vegetable cultivation at house garden (target VDCs in Gorkha: Bagdanda, Nareshwar, Simjung and target VDCs in Sindhupalchok:Talamarang, Irkhu, Bansbari, Maneshwara, Thokarpa). JICA is planning to initiate an integrated women’s community support program in Barpak VDC in Gorkha. The program is composed of four sub-projects:1) construct Awareness raising session on human trafficking, unsafe migration and GBV, at Gupsipakha a women’s community centre, 2) establish campsite, Laprak. Photo Credit: IOM a women’s cooperative in Barpak, 3) NDP is promoting cash for work as nationalities, unemployed youth and improve vegetable cultivation among Utemporary employment through debris Madheshi. Although the RELRP was closed female-headed households and 4) provide management, so far 4,350 people have in June 2016, its work has been continued mother goats and improve goat farming received temporary employment through through the Micro Enterprise Development and breeding. cash-for-work (40% of which are women). Programme (MEDEP). UNDP is providing UNDP is providing training to engineers, livelihood recovery support, psychosocial PROTECTION & GENDER BASED masons, house-owners and Emergency counselling, technical skill training, VIOLENCE Operation Centres (EOC) staff on damage entrepreneurship development training assessment, safer construction practices and technology support to existing and OM distributed a total of 63,110 and disaster risk management. So far 577 new micro-entrepreneurs. As of December IInformation and Education engineers (including 99 women) have 2015 9,907 existing Micro Entrepreneurs Communication (IEC) brochures and 704 been trained on damage assessment (MEs) recovered (61.4% women, 53.3% flex banners focused on counter-trafficking of earthquake affected households, 253 hill Janjati and 14% hill Dalit), and 465 measures and safe migration to community engineers (47 women), 673 masons (106 new MEs were created (55% women, members including 25,100 brochures women) and 466 house-owners have been 45.8% Janjati and 22% Dalit). A total and 539 banners in Kathmandu Valley trained on safer construction practices. of 1,109 existing Micro Entrepreneurs (Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur) Through UNDP support, 314 members (57.3% women, 48.8% Janjati and 12% 11,120 brochures and 47 banners in (92 women) of Community Based Dalit) and 20 new Micro Entrepreneurs Gorkha, 13,825 brochures and 35 banners Disaster Risk Management Committees (30% women and 100% Janjati) were in Dolakha and 13,065 brochures and were trained on search and rescue, trained on technical skills. A total of 68 83 banners in Sindhulpalchok. A total of livelihood, early warning systems, disaster potential entrepreneurs enhanced their 11,839 earthquake affected individuals risk management mainstreaming and knowledge and skills on entrepreneurship and concerned stakeholders received institutional development. development (73.5% women, 56% Janjati information on GBV, safe migration, human and 15% Dalit). A total of 4,011 Micro trafficking and human smuggling through he Non-Resident Nepali Association has Entrepreneurs were supported with 172 awareness raising sessions. These Ttaken the initiative to build 600 houses as technology (58.5 % women, 52% Janjati sessions were held in five earthquake a part of a ‘model village’ in Laprak in Gorkha and 16% Dalit). affected districts: Dhading (8), Dolakha district and Araniko Designer and Planers (30), Gorkha (32), Kavre (7), Kathmandu PVT has been selected to develop the master OM supported 500 women with small Valley (22), Makwanpur (4), Nuwakot (1), plan of the model village. As a member of the Iscale livelihoods projects including skill Rasuwa (1), and Sindhupalchok (67). Steering Committee, UN Women is providing building and micro grants targeting women, IOM is currently bringing the awareness technical support to ensure the gender- survivors of gender-based violence, raising and capacity-building protection responsiveness of the master plan. potential and returnee women migrants, as sessions to earthquake affected schools, well as socially and economic vulnerable communities and government authorities LIVELIHOOD SUPPORT women. The project was carried out that focus on gender related issues such in Dolakha, Gorkha, Kathmandu, and as GBV, human trafficking and safe NDP’s Rapid Enterprise and Sindhupalchok to decrease the socio- migration (the latter primarily targeting ULivelihoods Recovery Project (RELRP) economic vulnerability of earthquake- the male population). This work will be has provided quick enterprise recovery affected communities. IOM continues to continued through the end of September support to over 12,000 earthquake focus on livelihoods projects targeting and will target approximately 1500 affected micro-entrepreneurs in seven approximately 50 of the most vulnerable additional beneficiaries. severely affected districts: Nuwakot, female members of the population affected Rasuwa, Sindhupalchok, Kavre, Dolakha, by the earthquake. n early June 2016, IOM and Shakti Ramechhap and Sindhuli. RELRP’s ISamuha, a local counter-trafficking NGO, primary beneficiaries are socially excluded ICA is supporting a one year livelihood jointly identified 100 socio-economically and economically poor communities, program from April 2016 to May 2017 vulnerable displaced women and girls in especially women, Dalits, indigenous J

15 http://policy-practice.oxfam.org.uk/publications/i-am-alone-single-women-and-the-nepal-earthquake-617348 16 http://www.jica.go.jp/nepal/english/office/others/c8h0vm00009vyd39-att/brochure_05.pdf 8 GENDER EQUALITY UPDATE NO 9

Kathmandu Valley. With support from the World Bank, IOM delivered 24 tents to those identified with the most urgent shelter protection needs, benefitting a total of 74 individuals, including their families. The provision of tents addressed an urgent protection concern that was raised by the beneficiaries themselves. Maternity kits were distributed to 850 pregnant or lactating women up to one year in displacement camps in Gorkha, Sindhupalchok and Dolakha. A key lesson has been to ensure that site management committees within the displacement camps have adequate female representation. Furthermore, IOM highlight that site improvement activities need to be prioritised and focus on the Bimala Amagi Psychosocial Counsellor providing session to earthquake survivor women in the needs of women at risk of GBV, such as multipurpose womens centre in Gorkha supported by SAATHI, Government of Denmark and UN lighting within the displacement camps, Women. Photo Credit UN Women/ Monica Upadhay locks on toilets, etc. continued to run three of its established in and developing networks of women five Multi-Purpose Women Centres in grassroots trainers on disaster recovery xfam has deployed one gender Gorkha, Nuwakot and Sindhupalchok in and resilience building. During this Oofficer in each Oxfam district close coordination with the Government phase, the MPWCs have reached a total office and in each partner organisation of Nepal. The centres now focus on of 4,648 women beneficiaries. A total to ensure mainstreaming of gender enhancing the capacity of local women’s of 3,285 women received information and protection in all its recovery and groups to ensure the integration of on violence and potential measures of reconstruction activities. Oxfam is also gender equality in longer-term disaster disaster preparedness and 136 women conducting awareness raising workshops recovery, reconstruction and preparedness and girls were referred to different and disseminating IEC material on initiatives. The centres conducted services (e.g. legal support, cash-for-work women’s rights, child marriage, and GBV Women’s Safety Audits (WSAs) with initiatives, and capacity development counselling and referral in Kathmandu, the involvement of women seeking trainings). Based on findings from needs Gorkha, Nuwakot, and Dhading. Oxfam support from the centres, which explores assessments, feasibility studies and is supporting the local government the types of spaces in the community rapid market feasibility assessments on on gender-responsive recovery and that contribute towards creating a safe potential jobs for earthquake-affected reconstruction including spending of the environment. The WSAs concluded women, the MPWCs prepared a five-day 10% VDC budget allocated to women, with recommendations to enhance the training module and handbook on goat women’s access to legal documentation, capacities of service providers on gender- farming, poultry farming and seasonal joint land ownership, vital registration, responsive service delivery, to keep public vegetable farming, and 152 women and women’s participation in decision spaces safe through increased police attended skills-development training and making processes. Oxfam is also patrolling and proper lighting (including in received matching support in kind from engaging women in mason training in its sanitary facilities), to increase women's the MPWC. A handbook and module on project districts. A key gap identified by participation and leadership in various disaster recovery and resilience building Oxfam is that the earthquake affected development interventions, and to engage has been prepared and a five-day training population is still lacking access to official men in promoting women's safety and of trainers for 61 local women leaders has information regarding the government security. The recommendations of the been completed. Similarly 30 community compensation they are entitled to. WSA will inform future discussions on youths and women enhanced their skills According to Oxfam’s baseline study. local disaster-preparedness plans and to support community disaster resilience. women especially are unaware of how the centres are also following up on these The MPWCs partnered with the Nepal and where to claim their citizenship rights with relevant local government agencies. Red Cross Society on the disaster-related for vital registration - 34% didn’t have In its current second phase, the MPWCs interventions. A total of 479 women have any knowledge, 30% had superficial are continuing to provide psycho-social received psycho-social counseling and knowledge, and 19% only some counselling, referral services, information trauma assistance from psycho-social knowledge on claiming their rights. dissemination services, and professional counselors at the MPWCs. A total of orientations on accessing employment 386 women have been organized into omen for Human Rights (WHR), opportunities. In addition they are social groups, including single women, Wthe Single Women’s Group, providing community awareness trainings persons with disabilities, senior citizens and SAATHI in partnership with UN on disaster recovery and resilience and excluded women, and are building Women and with support received from building and prevention from violence, as linkages with different stakeholders in the Government of Denmark, have well as supporting women’s engagement order to advance their agendas.

Contact: Ganesh Chaulagai, GESI Technical Expert stationed at the National Reconstruction Authority ([email protected])

This update was prepared based on inputs from the National Reconstruction Authority, members of the multi-stakeholder forum of the Inter- Cluster Gender Working Group (GWG), the UNCT Gender Theme Group, the IDPG GESI Working Group and other DPs, NGOs/INGOs, CSOs in Nepal. This update is not representative of all ongoing efforts on gender-responsive recovery and reconstruction as it is only includes inputs received. Its purpose is to enable information exchange, coordinate efforts towards shared priorities, and increase attention to key issues in the field of gender equality during the post-earthquake recovery and reconstruction process in Nepal.