Position Paper
Gender Equality and GBV in Lumbini Province
Context: Gender equality is a fundamental human right that sets the foundation for sustainable development, social justice, and inclusive governance. In Nepal, despite constitutional guarantees, progressive laws, and international commitments, gender inequality and gender-based violence (GBV) remain pervasive, undermining the dignity, safety, and agency of women and girls and disproportionately affecting sexual and gender minorities.
Nepal has made notable progress in promoting gender equality, including legal reforms and increased political representation of women. However, deep-rooted patriarchal norms and structural inequalities continue to manifest in high prevalence of domestic and intimate partner violence; harmful practices such as child marriage, child labor, dowry-related violence; economic dependency and unequal access to resources, land, and decent work; under-representation of women in decision-making beyond quota systems; limited access to justice and survivor support services, especially in rural and marginalized communities; stigma, under-reporting, and weak accountability for GBV perpetrators
These challenges are intensified by intersecting factors such as caste, ethnicity, disability, poverty, migration, and geographic isolation
Gender-Based Violence Challenges
Gender based Violence(GBV) remains widespread in Lumbini Province yet underreported due to stigma, fear of retaliation, lack of awareness of rights, and weak survivor support systems. Survivors often face social pressure to remain silent, inadequate protection, and limited access to justice and services. While legal and policy frameworks exist, implementation gaps, limited coordination among service providers, and insufficient capacity at local levels undermine effective prevention and response. GBV not only violates fundamental human rights but also perpetuates cycles of poverty, exclusion, and intergenerational disadvantage.
Gender Equality Gaps
Beyond violence, gender inequality is reflected in unequal access to education, livelihoods, property, leadership, and decision-making spaces. Women’s unpaid care burden, limited economic opportunities, and underrepresentation in governance limit their full participation in social, economic, and political life. Addressing GBV in isolation is insufficient. It must be embedded within broader efforts to transform discriminatory norms, redistribute power, and promote women’s leadership and economic autonomy in a rights-based and gender-transformative approach.
SSDC’s Position and Approach`
SSDC views gender equality and GBV prevention as central to inclusive, peaceful, and sustainable development. The organization adopts a gender-transformative, human rights-based, and survivor-centered approach that addresses both the root causes and consequences of GBV. SSDC works to strengthen awareness of women’s rights, engage men and boys in positive masculinity, support survivor-centered prevention and response mechanisms, and enhance the capacity of local institutions to deliver coordinated and accountable GBV services. Intersectionality is central to SSDC’s approach, ensuring that interventions reach women and girls facing multiple forms of discrimination.
Commitment and Strategic Contribution
SSDC is committed to contributing to a society where women and girls live free from violence, exercise equal rights, and participate meaningfully in decision-making. Through partnerships with communities, local governments, service providers, and civil society actors, SSDC seeks to prevent GBV, strengthen protection and justice mechanisms, and promote gender-responsive governance and development across Lumbini Province. This commitment aligns with the Constitution of Nepal, national GBV policies, and international frameworks including SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 16.