Serious Human Rights Violation, Gang Rape in Morang, Sunsari districts, A Great Concern for All

As political conflict ascends in the country and series of human rights violations, so has increased cases on violation of rights of the common people have been reported, especially in Morang and sunsari district. it was reported that some unidentified group of gangsters invaded community and gang raped women and young girls and some even killed.

Within seven months period, it has been reported that already more than 13 Mushahar girls and women were raped brutally by the unidentified people who loots the community. The more agonizing fact about this whole incident is that police personnel from area have shown reluctance in filing the cases of such violence on women, girls and the community against the perpetrators. The gangsters loot whatever they have, abduct women and girls and rape them. This inhumane activity as such is used as prime tool for terrorizing the villagers. They sometimes even kill the wives and daughters after sexually abusing them if they fail to meet their demands.

Mushahar labeled as the untouchables are the Dalit caste group in Nepal. They are the marginalized people and have been displaced from the mainstream of the development.

Many a times these groups have been victims of the violence of many kinds, using the background as the reason. In one of the cases, a 17 year old girl from Inaruwa municipality was abducted, raped and killed. This case was indeed not new to the community. But they suspect that these gangsters were mobilized under the leadership of ex. Home Minister, Dil Bahadur Shrestha. Rajdhani Dainik,a Nepali national daily, 8th jestha 2061 (May 21st 2004) quoted “dx]Gb|/fhdfu{ 5]pdf /x]sf] ;f] 7fFpaf6 d';x/x? x6fO{ k"j{dGqL lbn axfb'/ >]i7n] ;f] hldg cfˆgf] ePsf] bfjL ul//x]sf 5g\ . xfn k'g/fj]bg cbfntdf ljrf/wLg /x]sf] a;f]jf; ;DaGwL ;f] d'2fdf s]xL lbg cl3 ePsf] ;h{ldgn] ;f] hldgdf ;fljs d';x/ j:tL /x]sf] b]vfPkl5 d'2f lkmtf{ lng bjfj lbg >]i7sf] O;f/fdf ;f] 36gf ePsf] :yfgLo atfpF5g\ . (Download Nepali font Preeti)

Victimized family exclaims that these looting, extortion and rape has been initiated by the ex-minister to displace the Mushahars from their land nearby the Mahendra high-way. Mr. Shrestha claims the entire land, where the community resides, his private property. But the government recently declared that the land is in the ownership of the Mushahar community. Hence in order to get hold of the land, as the community claims the whole idea behind the violence was to initiate the self-evacuation amongst the group. But Shrestha denies the allegation charged against him.

Such incident in the community is seen as serious human rights violation and a matter of concern by many human rights organizations. This is one great challenge for all which needs to be addressed under strict advocacy through solidarity both nationally and internationally as well.

This has been a serious issue for the human rights organizations and has been of great challenge which all should address showing unity. Recently, a team of human rights activists went to Sunsari to raise the voice against this issue. WOREC also took an initiative to voice against human rights violation caused in the Mushahar communities. WOREC has serious concerns regarding these kinds of inhuman acts.

What do you think would be the next step to address this issue. Please do send in your valuable comments and suggestions for what could be the next positive step. Please post your valuable responses to worec@wlink.com.np

Click here for full report with case studies in Nepali [ PDF format ]

Trainings, workshops and events are held in an ongoing manner on our working areas.
Few recent ones are:

Trainings to the youth groups in eastern Nepal on trafficking, migration and HIV/AIDs

1. December 11th -13th, Udaypur
2. December 14th-16th, Biratnagar

The sessions were led by Ms. Soni Pradhan. The targeted youth were members of the street drama team.The trainings were aimed at broadening their understanding on trafficking, migration and HIV/AIDs and the effective approach to share it with the community. The content of the trainings comprised the definition, factors, and elements of trafficking, migration and the interrelationship between trafficking and migration. In addition causal factors, prevention measures of HIV/AIDs and the rights of People living with HIV/AIDs (PLWHA) were also included. Altogether 60 youth and adolescents participated in the training. By the end of the training session, the participants were able to analyze the issues from a rights-based perspective and were confident that they would be able to disseminate the learned information and knowledge to the community via street dramas.

Celebration of the Human Rights Day, 10th December 2003

One-day interaction program was organized by WOREC at Rajabas office, Udaypur. The main objective of the program was to sensitize youth on human right issues especially about their rights. Altogether, 35 youth participated in the program. The program comprised discussion on the history of the human rights day, rights of people, its violation in the context of Nepal, and the consequences. Each participant shared their experiences in the present political conflict, and collectively brought up the issue of frustration among youth. A movie on Human Rights Declaration was also featured in the program. In addition, human rights in relation to our social structure, and the prevailing social practices were also discussed.

Women’s Health Trainings

Two different Women’s health trainings were given to Women’s health network in Udaypur by Ms. Indira Chaulaagain.

1. October 20th -23rd , Jaalpa
2. October 27th -31st , Rautaa

The objective of the trainings were to strengthen the existing women’s group, give sustainability, raise awareness on violence against women and children, and further activate women’s network groups. The topics discussed were gender discrimination in the society and its effect to women’s health, social structure in the context of Nepal, causes of violence, and existing Nepal laws regarding women’s health . There were 33 participants at the Jaalpa training , and 26 at the Rautaa training.

Similarly, there was another training was held for young women also in Udaypur.

1. December 3rd -6th, Gaaighat
2. December 10th –13th in Rautaa

The objective of the trainings were to conceptually clarify women’s health particularly in adult stage, impact of violence of their health, preventive measures against major women health problems, basic information regarding HIV/AIDS, and prevention measures. There were 6 boys, and 28 girls in Gaaighat, and in Galaayadaanda there were 7 boys and 8 girls. In these training practical knowledge, facts, stories from the movies, examples from other countries, were also discussed. In addition, information regarding herbal medicines were also provided by Ms. Radha Aale.

For more information about trainings and events please contact WOREC.

Report on the National Consultation on Women Human Rights Defenders in Nepal
3-4 MARCH 2006, KATHMANDU

The National Consultation on Women Human Rights Defenders was held in Kathmandu, Nepal between 3rd and 4th March 2006. 450 women human rights defenders from 64 districts took part in the consultation. These participants included women who work to protect and promote human rights of others particularly women and also, men defending women's human rights.

Women human rights defenders are those women active in human rights defence who are targeted for who they are as well as those active in defence of women's rights who are targeted for why they do. Women human rights activists as well as other activists such as male, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or any other sexes who defend the rights of women fall as women human rights defenders.

The consultation had five specific objectives:
The first objective was to nationalize the issue of women human rights defenders and to make visible the work they do. The major national and international human rights organizations working in Nepal attended and contributed to the meeting. Similarly, a significant number of government officials particularly officials of the women development office were present as participants who actively participated in all the workshops. OHCHR Nepal office and other UN agencies were also present. Three senior women human rights defenders- Sahana Pradhan, Sneha Lata Shrestha and Dev Devi Sharma were recognized during the event. They all highlighted their commitment towards women rights and women human rights defenders and stressed on their own marginalization during the course of their work. Extensive national media coverage made the issue even more public as major women journalists of all the major dailies attended the meeting. The event also received recognition internationally as the coordinator of the international women human rights defenders campaign- Mary Jane Real- attended and immensely contributed in the event as well as a statement on the consultation to WOREC by Ms. Hina Jilani, the special representative of the UN Secretary general on Human Rights Defenders stressed the importance and the need of such event.

The second objective was to create a safe space for WHRDs to break the silence on abuses they and their colleagues and friends face. The abuses that WHRDs in Nepal face include torture and murder by both state and non state actors, isolation by mainstream human rights organizations, harassment and intimidation by family, community and the state as well as sexual and sexuality based attacks against activists particularly those working in the LGBT rights areas. This was achieved through various workshops held during the consultation where there was significant interaction among the participants where they shared, compared and analysed the violations they face.

The third objective was to identify and discuss strategies for tackling abuses committed against women human rights defenders and to develop protection mechanisms to support WHRDs. The legal protection instruments discussed in depth during the meeting were the UN human rights defenders declaration, the EU guidelines for the protection of human rights defenders, the filing complaints with the UN special rapporteur on violence against women, the special representative on human rights defenders and mechanisms such as the International Criminal Court. The participants during the workshops stressed the need to have a declaration specifically on women human rights defenders as the "neutral" declaration on human rights defenders has not been effective enough to address the violations WHRDs face. Also, it was pointed out that on the specific issue of domestic violence where men usually are the perpetrators, the human rights defenders who also are usually men have not been able to effectively address the issue. Therefore, there is a further need of recognition of women human rights defenders, their work and a declaration that specifies these necessities for their protection. Also, WHRDs were provided with skills on documenting women human rights violations through a skills workshop on documentation. This workshop added to building capacity of WHRDs to work locally.

The fourth objective was to link WHRDs more effectively at the national level in order to build solidarity among them by forming district level and regional networks of WHRDs. The consultation was able to bring together grassroots women from 64 districts who although with similar experience and commitment never had a chance to come together in such a forum. This was a rare opportunity for all the participants and they appreciated this and made full use of it to build networks and connections. The participants themselves pointed out a need for a district level and regional networks for their own protection as well as to link up with the international WHRD movement. They have committed themselves to taking their realization into reality and building networks once they are back in their local communities. The national campaign has now been opened up for membership and women defenders can personally or organizationally be part of it.

The fifth objective was to widely disseminate the Nepali translation of the UN declaration on human rights defenders along with other important documents on the need to focus on the issue of WHRDs in Nepal. This has been done through WOREC's quarterly newsletter which this month has been dedicated on the issue of women human rights defenders, adoption and translation of protection guidelines on human rights defenders developed by International Service for Human Rights (ISHR), adoption and translation of the concept paper on WHRDs developed for the International Consultation on WHRDs held in Colombo, Sri Lanka 29 November -2 December 2005. Finally, a document on the Nepali campaign on WHRDs has been produced and circulated that details how WHRDs can become part of the national campaign and proposes future strategies and work of the campaign. The proceedings of the International Consultation on WHRDs was also disseminated during the consultation for people to become familiar with the international movement on WHRDs at present.

Lastly, a Nepal declaration on women human rights defenders that captures all the discussions, demands and issues raised at the consultation has come out as a result of the consultation which is in the process of being translated in English.

Kathmandu Declaration adopted by the National Conference of Women Human Rights Defenders

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3rd quarterly review meeting

Meeting on
Planning and review of programmes
held on March 30th- April 2nd

As usual, the third quarterly review meeting was held in Biratnagar, by the joint gathering of the district coordinators, program officers, accountants of respective districts and the central management team. The chairperson of the meeting was Mr.Baburam Gautam, the secretary of WOREC.

In the review meeting, the districts coordinators presented their quarterly report of the programmes conducted in their respective districts. There was the interaction on problems encountered while conducting different activities, which hampered the programmes. The evaluation of the accomplishments of the three months planning were done.
Apart from the ongoing successful programmes and plans, the following new planning was done.

• Management information system (DBMS)
  In order to keep and retrieve the records and information of all programmes conducted in various targeted districts, data base management system (DBMS) was planned to be implemented.
• Publication of Smarika
  To mark WOREC's 15th anniversary, Smarika (Souvenir) is planned to be published.
• Solidarity to the people's movement for inclusive democracy
  

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Meeting on
National Task force,
held on Paush 12 at Women's commission Office

The ministry of Women. children and social welfare and WOREC jointly organized the meeting between the National task force and among the organizations working in the field of trafficking at office of women's commission. The chairperson of the meeting was Mr. Shashikant Mainali, Secretary, ministry of women, child and social welfare, and also the chief guest was Minister, Ms. Astha Laxmi Shakya, Minsitry of women, children and social welfare.

Objectives of the meeting:

• To find out the alternatives to make the National Task force active.
• To channalize the network between national task force and the organization working against trafficking.
• To find out the possible interventions for the effective coordination between national task force and district task force.

Activities :
The chief guest, Ms. Athsa Laxmi Shakya, minster MWCSW, highlighted the objectives of the program. She focussed that trafficking has been a major problems now a days. She did not deny the effective work being done by the organization working against trafficking. She acknowledged that to combat trafficking, various NGOs and INGOs needs to work continously working with the task force. But apart from these, the task force could not be activated as per need, this is the major problem. This meeting was called to make the NTF activated with the pressurization of various organizations.

The program moved forward with the program presentation by various organizations. The first presenter was Dr. Renu Rajbhandari chairperson, WOREC. She highlighted about the working areas, strategies of the programs areas of WOREC. This organization believes that the problem of trafficking is rooted due to the immobile patriarchal society, so WOREC works within right based approach, so in the community level, WOREC has been conducting various anti trafficking programs by involving women, youth, men and also by involving local representatives in the community.

She also pointed out that trafficking is a gross violation of human rights, so to prevent trafficking right based approach is one of the prime tools. WOREC has been providing various training to other organizations on conceptual clarity on safe migration. WOREC's approach to prevent trafficking is community safe house campaign and also drop in center is establishing in Kathmandu in near future to combat internally trafficking. The VDC task force and DDC task force has been every active and have been started to initiate their own tasks in the community. WOREC has established information booths in various districts near CDO office where the migrants can have access to proper information about the foreign employment.
She also threw some lights on the strategies directions of WOREC.

• Collective empowerment a and social mobilization
• Advocacy for the social justice, equity, peace.
• Sustainable livelihood and resource management.

Cellard :
The representative of Cellard, focussed that they organized two types of programs ie activities by their own organization and the activities through partnership with other organizations. Cellard is very active in organizing various programs from eastern region to western plains, the major programs included the formation of vigilance community group, the adolescents group and also through the para legal committee, they have been successfully organizing Saving and credit group. He also highlighted that Cellard works with the labour force and with the hotel professionals.

Maiti Nepal:
Maiti Nepal, an NGO working more than a decade in the field of trafficking. It's main programs focussed on awareness generation activities in 11 districts, training within right based approach, 10 transit homes in 10 boarder areas, repatriation and rehabilitation of trafficked women, also services for HIV/AIDS infected . The documentation of case collection and case management are some of the plans which are going to be implemented soon.

ABC Nepal:
The chairperson of ABC Nepal, Ms. Durga Ghimire presented about the activities of the organization which mainly included rehabilitation of trafficked people, preventive activity to prevent trafficking, establishment of 4 rehabilitation homes, also training for the livelihood of the survivors of trafficking and community based rehabilitation.

NGO Federation Nepal:
NGO Federation is an umbrella organization for all NGOs. This organization basically works for the well being and capacity building of NGOs, but apart from these, NFN itself organizes various programs to combat human trafficking. The program coordinator of NFN, pointed that their working area is at Dhading, they mobilized adolescent by making their group, also counseling center to provide safe migration counseling and also the involvement of task force in their work place are some of the activities highlighted.

National Network against trafficking:
This is an umbrella organization of 23 organizations working in the field of trafficking. The coordinator of NNAGT highlighted that the major activities include awareness raising as well as advocacy related activities. This organization mainly focussed on pressurizing government, advocacy on various issues etc.

After the presentation, the floor was opened for discussion and clarification.

• The organization of task force is a need because the turn over in staff among the task force would have the previous information.
• The need of activation of taskforce to work according to the national policy is strongly felt.
• The task force needs to be conceptually clarified about the national policy against trafficking.
• Political commitment is must. Programs like reintegration and recovery should be done with right based approach for the survivors.
• The networking of DDC task force needs to be made so that the reporting and the networking with the national task force is made easy.
• The roles and responsibility of national task force needs to be made crystal clear.
• Quaterly meeting of national task force is must.
• The major problems arose out of posts between the chief district officer and local development officer.
• The DDC task force should be made a small working task force.
• The bilateral agreement to combat trafficking should be made a prime agenda.
• To avoid duplication between the activities conducted by government and NGOs, networking by task force is a need.
• While making passport, the counseling services needs to be provided about the foreign employment.
• The laws and policies need to be made against trafficking and also to strengthen the existing laws.
• There should be a clear policy on rehabilitation and reintegration by the government.
• The ministry has to fulfil the role of the facilitator .
• The internal migration arisen out of conflict has further risked of trafficking. Especially, the female youths are forcefully trafficked into sex profession in Kathmandu. This issue also needs to be addressed by the ministry.
• The rights of the survivors has to be protected, also they should be respected and identified as a human being.

The chair of the meeting highlighted some of the key points discussed in the meeting which were as follows:

• He infomred that the ministry has made proper planning to make the national task force active.
• The budget for the national task force to organize various programs is very less, he committed himself to advocate to raise that amount accordingly.
• Our activities will address the issue of internal trafficking by formulating the compound activities to combat internal trafficking. Government also lacks resouces. So, people from all sectors should act for its prevention.
• The staff turnovers cannot be controlled.
• The monitoring and evaluation of plan of action of national task force will be done.
• The operating guidelines of government is clear, so they can make them as a base to conduct various activities.
• Women ministry will take leadership in networking.

The session ended by the vote of thanks delivered to all the participants and the presenters.

Conclusion:
The participation was massive, almost everyone participated those whom were invited. The positive point of the program was the presence from the minister and secretary, MWCSW. This meeting was very productive because the meeting with task force was not regular. So this meeting was one of the major success which might activate the national task force in the near future.

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Since migration is one of the key areas to be addressed to prevent trafficking, WOREC has started its initiation on migration issue from last five years. In this process WOREC has build up its local, regional and international networks to address this issue. Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA) is one of such networks. From last three years WOREC is the member of this network.

MFA is conducting different programs to strengthen the network, capacity building of the network members and raise the issue relating to migration. So MFA has conducted its South Asian Consultation Meeting for MFA partners in Kathmandu. WOREC, being member of network co-organized the program. WOREC took up responsibility to coordinate and host this meeting

This meeting was held from 23rd - 25th August 2004 at the WOREC office Bal Kumari. The participants were from Migration Forum in Asia (MFA) Philipines , Centre for Education and Communication (CEC) India, Migration Forum India (MFI) India , Women and Media Collective ( WMC) Srilanka , Action Network for Migrant Workers (ACTFORM) Srilanka , MSD,NWC Srilanka, Welfare Association of Bangladeshi Employees (WARBE ) Bangladesh, Refugee and Migrants Movements Research Unit (RMMRU) Bangladesh , Aino Salish Kendra (ASK) Bangladesh, All Nepal Women Association (ANWA) Nepal and Women Rehabilitation Center (WOREC). Altogether 11 participants participated in the program.

The meeting unanimously supported that migration issue has to be addressed strongly in South Asian Region. For this reason, capacity of the network should be strengthened. Hence, in December, program entitled "Developing a rights based stakeholder strategic response to the issues of out migration in South Asia " had been planned to be conducted in Bangladesh.

Regional Meetings

We are holding a series of regional assemblies in the western Nepal entitled, "VIolent Political Conflict: Challanges and Alternatives" bringing together people from all walks of life, primarily the local community in discussing the matter. The structure and the objectives of the assembly will be very similar to the one held in Biratnagar. We request the interested parties to please
participate in the events. We will not only discuss on what the conflict is, but also the impact of the prevailing violent conflict on different sectors such as youth, children, women's health, education, media, migration/displacement, and the status of human rights. In addition, we intend to devise alternatives in the process of moving ahead, as well as develop declaration for action. The assembly schedule is as follows:

Midwestern development region , Dang-- February 23rd--24th. 2004

Far-western development region, Kailali--February 27th-28th, 2004

Western development region, Baglung--March 3rd-4th , 2004

16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence
November 25-December 1, 2003

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is an international campaign originating from the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute sponsored by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership in 1991. Participants chose the dates, November 25, International Day Against Violence Against Women and December 10, International Human Rights Day, in order to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasize that such violence is a violation of human rights.

For the past twelve years, over 1, 000 individuals and organizations from over 100 countries have sponsored activities in their communities during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, November 25 - December 10, to raise awareness about all forms of violence against women. The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence has become an annual event in many towns, states and regions. Activists have used this 16-day period to create a solidarity movement that raises awareness around gender-based violence as a human rights abuse. The movement works to ensure better protection for survivors of violence and calls for the elimination of all forms of violence against women.

During each of the 16 days, WOREC was involved in various activities in the different districts in which it operates programs. From November 27-29, WOREC along with may other organizations, organized an exhibition at Hotel Blue Star displaying and disseminating information about violence against women and ways to eliminate it. Some of the activities that WOREC organized include the following:

November 27-28: Bookstall and information dissemination about violence against women at the Hotel Blue Star in coordination with many other organizations.

November 29-30: Poster competition on the issue of gender-based violence, information dissemination and awareness-raising

November 29-30: Two-day workshop on ‘Violence and its Impact on Women’s Health’ at Morang district with nominated and elected women’s representatives

December 1: WOREC Open House and Information Dissemination (Kathmandu)

December 9: Poster exhibition and Press Conference

December 10: Celebration of Human Rights Day, including rally of 500 people in Kathmandu.

While the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is and important opportunity to raise awareness about gender-based violence as a fundamental violation of basic human rights, WOREC aims to continue such awareness raising activities throughout the year.

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From Bangkok
WOREC team had taken a trip to Bangkok to participate in a series of conferences: Asia Pacific NGO forum meeting, Global Fund meeting, ICCO pre conference on HIV/AIDS, and International AIDS Conference 2004. Each conference was an opportunity for us to expose our work, voice opinions, build partnership for coalition as well as learning experience.

Asia Pacific NGO Forum Meeting on Beijing +10 (June 30-July 3rd, 2004)
More than 700 women from across Asia Pacific actively gathered together at the beautiful Salaya, Nakornpathom, Thailand on June 30-July 3rd, to celebrate the gains, and raise voice and concerns on existing as well as emerging issues in the region of Asia Pacific since Beijing conference 1995. The meeting, further discussed the highlights and trends in implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA) and the Beijing + 5 Outcome Document. The major output of the meeting was the Purple Book containing the NGO evaluation of the impact of the BPFA on women's lives, an appraisal of remaining major obstacles to achieving target outcomes under each of the 12 critical areas of concern, and analysis of emerging gender issues, or new dimensions to existing concerns, that require concerted action by development actors. This was a preparatory meeting for the UNESCAP high level intergovernmental meeting in connection to Beijing +10, to be held on September 6-9, 2004. The meeting also produced a statement, that was approved unanimously remaining fully reaffirmed to the Beijing Platform for Action.

The participants in the statement recognized the efforts of governments and the UN system to realize the objectives of the Beijing Platform for Action, and strongly urged them to safeguard the gains, secure the commitments, and ensure full and effective implementation. The participants in solidarity with marginalized groups, committed to work with other social movements in enlarging our struggle for a better world for future generations

ICCO pre-conference and Ecumenical Alliance Advocacy (EAA) conference (July 8-10th, 2004)
WOREC conducted a session on Gender and HIV/AIDS at the ICCO pre-conference, which generated a constructive discussion among the participants. At the presentation, WOREC's newly developed policy on HIV/AIDS was also shared. Further, WOREC team actively participated at the plenary sessions, parallel workshops, and skill building workshops and presentations organized by EAA. In addition, it was also an opportunity to network with partner organizations, strengthen partnership and build future work.

XV International AIDS conference in Bangkok :
The International AIDS society and Thai Ministry of public health organized XV International AIDS Conference to fight against HIV/ AIDS. The Conference included 20,000 people from all over the world. The group included the leaders, scientists, youth, people living with HIV, government and non-governmental representatives, celebrities and others. All of them were in the same platform with the uniform voice to combat the battle against the global pandemic. The theme of the conference was access for all. Access in terms of treatment (ARV), care and support and above all place in the society without stigma and discrimination.

The 6 days program included opening ceremony, followed by different sessions (Plenary, parallel and satellite). The Plenary session covered the highlights of the overall programs of the particular day. The parallel sessions were divided into 5 categories.
• Basic Science
• Clinical Research/Treatment and care
• Epidemiology and Prevention
• Social and economic issues
• Policy and program implementation.

Another highlights of the conference was the global village, learning from the community who do it. The attraction of the global village was beautiful stalls for the sale of commercial goods made by HIV positive network groups, the cultural shows from different countries demonstrating their culture . Apart from these, the spiritual corner, sessions on different issues lured the participants to attend this. It also had space for people to relax and a space to get involved for those not being able to register themselves.

Three delegates from WOREC participated in International AIDS Conference held in Bangkok . The WOREC delegates attended the sessions useful for the organization and the country. The participation in discussion, sharing showed the strong presence of WOREC delegates in Bangkok conference. WOREC also had an opportunity to share its experience together with a testimony from the community member at the Global Village. Further, the team gained tremendous new information on topics ranging from anti-retroviral drugs to vaccine development, patents rights to access to treatment, new commitments and promises to past reflections, poignant stories to powerful expressions, different kinds of sexual practices to their sexual rights etc.

The conference was no short of controversy. The organizers were alleged for having unaffordable registration fee that excluded those, who needed to voice their opinion such as migrants, people living with HIV, and minorities. Further, discrimination was seen within the premises of the conference where leaders were seen ignoring the minorities, people living with HIV. Further contrary to the theme: access for all, only those who could register were granted permission at the major premise. There was rallys and protests demanding access to anti-retroviral drugs for all, harm reduction program for intravenous drug users and asking leaders to stop making false promises.

Overall, WOREC team found the experience enriching, and learned many new concepts, skills, and capacity that they will translate to action in their work. The messages, commitments, stories, and information were truly a source of inspiration to genuinely continue working in this area!