Violence against women and girls remains the most widespread and pervasive human rights violation worldwide affecting more than an estimate 1 in 5 women according to most recent global estimates. Despite of these worrying trends, the presence of a strong and autonomous feminist movement is the most critical factor to drive policy level changes. For this reason, the 32 WOMEF formed under the UNDEF funded projects in 4 municipalities of Sarlahi District of Nepal conducted 4 mass campaign as mass feminist movement at local level with the support of UNDEF, SAP Nepal and Nepal Musahar Association Sarlahi. The program was led by the WoMEF groups in coordination with respective municipalities.
In Basbariya, the campaign was conducted on 5 December 2022 under the chairmanship of Sita Devi Majhi (Chair, Municipal level network of WoMEF groups of Basbariya) and in presence of Municipal head, Ram Sihasan Ray. The slogan of the rally was “Identification of civil society through campaign against gender discrimination. The awareness rally was actively participated by 110 Musahar men and women including media person, local police, school principal, students, ward chairs. During the rally, students including Musahar women were holding placards with statements- “stop violence against women, stop child marriage, stop drinking alcohol, stop discrimination against untouchables.” Speaking in the event, the municipal head expressed that he has been impressed by the initiative of WoMEF and stated that municipality would hold similar programs in the days to come. Similar event was conducted at local level in Barathawa, Chandranagar and Asanwa of Haripur Municipality on 2 December, 8 December and 29 November respectively with active participation of 110, 250 and 49 Musahar men and women respectively.