Women Rehabilitation Center Udaypur is organizing Women's health mela focussing on women's gynecological screening and treatment at different VDCs of Udaypur district. Two doctors Dr. Narottam Regmi and Dr. Renu Rajbhandari from Kathmandu were involved in treatment and screening. This health camp is organized for one month in different VDCs from January 10th to February 11th.

Women's health Mela Schedule:

Till now the two camps in Hadiya and Jogidaha is organized. In Joigidaha, one hundred and forty three women and three men were screened and provided with free medicines. Similarly in Hadiya, one hundred and forty four women were screened and treated. The major problems among women identified were uterine prolapsed, irregular periods and also the problems of lower abdominal pain and white discharge.

The trafficking of persons in Nepal is an issue that has become of increasing concern among NGOs in the past two decades. According to the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, trafficking is defined as ‘the recruitment, transportation, transfer or harboring or receipt of any person of any purpose or in any form by the threat or use of force or by abduction, fraud, deception, coercion or abuse of power for the purposes of slavery, forced labor or debt bondage’. Thus, trafficking is seen as a serious violation of fundamental human rights. Although not a new phenomenon, with increased migration flows, the processes of globalization and the recognition of the inherent gender discrimination in Nepal, there has been a renewed focus on combating the exploitation of women and children that is inherent in trafficking.

When we talk about human trafficking, the demand from neighboring country India cannot be isolated with. The open uncontrolled border witnesses the human trafficking each year. Time and again, it has been noticed that the extent of trafficking has been increasing due to the escalating conflict situation prevailing in Nepal. There are ample numbers of cases, which show the trafficking among men, men and children also. The recent case is the worse conditions of Nepali youth being trafficked to Iraq. Previously when the issue of trafficking was concerned, only women and children indulging into force sexual profession was dealt with. But right now, it has given clear distinction between migration and trafficking. Any people have right to migrate but trafficking in the process of migration is a gross violation of human rights.

The human rights safe guards realized that there is a massive need of bilateral agreement between India and Nepal to combat the problem of human trafficking. So, for that WOREC, Himrights and Plan Nepal jointly organized a 1 and half day national consultation on "Combating Trafficking: Rationale for Bilateral Agreement" In that program, 3 speakers Dr. Renu Rajbhandari, chairperson WOREC, Dr. Gopal Krishna Sivakoti, Director General Himrights and Mr. Hari Krishna Karki, Advocate presenterd papers highlighting the rationale for the bilateral agreement between Nepal and India.

The session was divided into two parts. First session was the speeches by several delegates. Dr. Gopal Krishna Shivakoti delivered the welcome speech as well as he threw some lights on the need of bilateral agreement to prevent human trafficking. He highlighted the speech by saying "; Fishing out in the stream of migration is trafficking. The treaty between India and Nepal in 1950 reflects about the access for both the Indian and Nepalese to move over these countries without visas. This friendly treaty not only accessed the movement of Nepalese and Indians but also triggers the trend of human trafficking. But this is not the only cause of human trafficking. The demand from India and incapability of Nepalese government to provide sufficient employment opportunities to the productive population can be counted for the major reasons of trafficking.
To tackle this problem, the memorandum of understanding between both the countries should be there. This issue is an international issue, so until and unless the standard levels of strategies are made, significant change is impossible.

The second speaker Dr. Renu Rajbhandari, chairperson of WOREC, highlighted that the need for bilateral agreement between India and Nepal should be the concern of state, but there has not significant intervention from the government sectors to combat human trafficking, which is a gross violation of human rights. It's been a decade; the issue of trafficking is talked with. Definitely, There have been lots of achievements in this field. To address this issue, 3 things has to be taken into consideration:
a) Identification of victims
b) Risk assessment
c) Repatriation, Reintegration and recovery

Dr. Renu stressed that to combat this issue the commitment has to be there in policy and government side.

Chief guest, Ms. Astha Laxmi Shakya, minister of women, children and social welfare focussed that "celebration of days" won't help if people donot call for action. We have been celebrating days over a decade still the case is increasing rather than going down. The effective laws have to be formulated and also the existing policies have to be reviewed and amended as per the need. She committed herself to join hands to combat this issue.
Padma Mathema, national rapporteur, National Human rights Commission, stressed the bilateral agreement, the ultimate solution to fight against this human right violation.
Ms. Pravha Pandey, from Plan Nepal threw some lights on the cause of trafficking, which are economic and social cause. The victims are the marginalized sections of society. For the bilateral agreement, initial task would be to spell out the roles of NGOs and the embassies.

The vote of thanks was delivered by Ms. Jyoti Paudel, advocacy officer of WOREC.

The most important session was second session i.e. paper presentation. Dr. Gopal Krishna Sivakoti. The title of his paper was Countering Human trafficking with Bilateral Accord". He presented 5 theories on Convention to combat human trafficking.
a) Zero tolerance to impunity to human trafficking
b) Prevention from Trafficking
c) Protection from trafficking
d) Criminalization, Punishment and Treatment
e) Safe, human and regular mobility.

Dr. Renu Rajbhandari presented paper on "Importance of Bilateral agreement in SAARC convention". She highlighted the flaws in SAARC Convention. The regional strategy to eliminate human trafficking was developed in 9th SAARC convention held from 12-14 May 1997 at Maldives. Point 27 of this Convention stated that to combat human trafficking, the activities have to be planned in a coordinated way, also to strengthen the existing laws and also to formulate the laws according to the need. These conventions had been amended in January 2002.
This Convention has been successful in addressing vulnerable sections like women and children but the definition quoted has limited to women and children only. The commentator was delighted to express his feelings towards the presentation. This was a multidimensional draft as said by him; also it is within right-based approach. This paper has covered the positive part of SAARC convention, also highlighted the weakness but now the definition of trafficking has been broadened which the paper has not covered.

The third presenter was Hari Krishna Karki, an advocate. The title of his paper was International Protocol on Human Trafficking and Nepalese Laws.
There are numbers of flaws in existing laws and policies. The commentator highlighted the checking of cross border crime and also1950 treaty has to be amended. Even 1949 act against trafficking should also be amended.

In floor discussion, Closing border or regularizing it won't stop crime against trafficking. If the border is closed, the same number will get trafficked but the victims have to bear more torture and abuses. The closed border between Bangladesh and India is the clear example of this. It takes 5000 taka to get visa through legal way to travel from Bangladesh to India. But through illegal way 50 taka is enough. So border close is not the solution. The open border reflects the less torture to the victims rather than the closed ones.

The second day was half-day program, started with the queries and concerned of the participants about the previous day's presentation.
Several points were arisen during the discussions, which were as follows:

• Before making any agreement, we should be clear of which level should we address to, government level, police level, organizational level, journalist, parliament or administration.
• The treaty has to be monitored
• Forceful repatriation is against right-based approach, so it should not be.\
• Trafficking definition has to be widened.
• The concept of Supply and demand country should be broadened.
• This issue has to be dealt with diplomatic way.
• The poverty is not the only root cause of trafficking; this concept has to be changed.
• Both the receiving and the supply country should make effective agenda to punish the culprit involved in trafficking.
• The main need is to eradicate slavery like condition should be the main focus to make treaty for combating trafficking.

The next session is to make the future strategy for the treaty.
The main things which should not be forgotten are we donot want our people to be restricted from being migrated to India and also in Indian labor business, the demand of Nepali labor class is high.
The main focus should be there should be clear identification of victims, the repatriation has to be voluntarily for that proper risk assessment is necessary. The strategy for victims and survivors should be different. There should be healthy environment for the people who want to migrate to other countries for employment.
There should be clear assessment of what are the difficulties both the countries are facing because of unavailability of this treaty; this should be clearly examined.

The treaty will add benefits in investigating the criminal activities.
The next plan of action to move forward

• Research with victims/ survivors/ policy makers
• Series of focussed meeting with task force, ministry of foreign affairs, home ministry, women ministry, meeting with NGOs.
• With the coordination with Plan India

The last session was facilitated by Dr. Gopal Sivakoti; he sited road map to move further for bilateral agreement, which were as follows:
There has to be dialogue between

• Home government + Home civil society
• Indian Civil society + Indian Government
• Home government + Indian Government
• home civil society + Indian government
• Home government Indian civil society
• Home civil society + Indian civil society

At the end, the one and half day national consultation ended with the vote of thanks, and also focussing on the various issues and rationale for the bilateral agreement between Nepal and India.

In an effort to initiate peace campaign nationwide, three day National Peace Assembly, entitled ‘Conflict, Displacement and Migration: Challenges for Peace and Development’, was held in the capital from 26th to 28th August 2004. The assembly was launched with the opening session held at Bansantapur Dabali, during which the political leaders, civil society, human rights activist joined together to advocate for establishing peace and security in the country. For the last nine years, Nepal has been experiencing escalating political conflict arising from struggles between the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and His Majesty's Government of Nepal. At the session, all the speakers highlighted the importance of peace talks between Maoist and government, which would be the only way to ensure peace and security in the country. The participants coming from 75 districts equivocally stressed on the need of restoring peace in the nation.
Renowned anthropologist and WOREC's advisor Prof. Kailash Nath Pyakurel chaired the session. Dr. Renu Rajbhandari, chairperson of WOREC had highlighted the objectives of the National Peace Assembly.

Several delegates raised their voice to maintain peace in the country at the occasion. Mr. Gopal Raj Pahadi, member of Nepali Congress said that the present conflict could be resolved through democratic way. Similarly, Jhala N Khanal, member of CPN UML emphasized that the only way to resolve the current crisis is peace dialogue. In addition, Mr. Hridayesh Tripathy, leader of Nepal Sadhvana Party (Anandidevi) highlighted that the fact that the conflict has to be resolved politically constructive manner. Leader, Keshav Nepal from JanMorcha Nepal stated that mobilization of army is not the proper way to resolve this present conflict.

Several human rights activists stressed that the country should be made weapon free; and all the people should be ensured with their fundamental human rights. They equivocally agreed that the escalation of conflict is due to use of weapon by both the warring parties.

Other school of thought believed that only the ordeal and pain is felt by those who have suffered due to the actions carried out by both the parties. Participants shared their experience of having to see mothers carrying their children's dead body in their lap, yet remaining helpless. They stressed collective and honest action from all the sectors to restore back peace in the country.

Mr. Devika Timilsina of Hamro Abhiyan concluded the session by highlighting the key points and with the vote of thanks to all the participants.

The second day of the program took place at Staff College Jawalakhel. More than 500 people participated in assembly. The session was divided into two parts; plenary and parallel. In the plenary session, speakers from different sectors presented the papers on various issues stated below.

• Conflict, Displacement and Migration and Women Health Rights : Dr. Renu Rajbhandari
• The Role of Media in Peace Building Process: Mr. Suresh Acharya
• Possibility and Challenges of Constitutional Assembly : Mr. Krishna Pokharel
• Conflict, Displacement and Migration and Youth Rights : Mr. Bhola Dahal
• Present Human Rights Situation and Challenges :Ms. Shova Gautam

In plenary sessions, there were presentations of various papers and discussion related them. The detailed discussions on each issue were scheduled in the second session. Several parallel workshops were held on the above mentioned topics to have thorough discussions.

On the last day of the assembly, moderators from each symposium presented summary of the issue based workshops, and group work regarding subject matter, attempts being done to resolve the issues, and recommendation/strategy for future directions.

The assembly was able to generate a 17-points Declaration for Action in Kathmandu based on the presentations, panel discussions, and working groups' outcomes. The 17 points declaration focussed on the restoration of peace by releasing the country from the present conflict situation and also addressed suffering of the civilians due to this conflict. It also developed the codes of conduct for the nation as well as for the Maoist to follow. The assembly concluded with a mass peace rally in Kathmandu with uniform voice to ensure peace and security to all.

The Kathmandu declaration 2004 (MS Word Version 84kb) was handed over to Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on 7th September 2004.

In an effort to initiate peace campaign nationwide, two-day regional assembly series entitled ‘Conflict, Displacement and Migration: Challenges for Peace and Development’, were held in Dang, mid-western region of Nepal on February 23-24th, and Baglung, western region on March 3-4th, 2004. Prior to the western region assemblies, we had held an eastern regional workshop in Biratnagar in November. The overall objective of the workshops was to initiate a peace building process involving all sectors and initiating grassroots campaign. The specific objectives were to conceptualize conflict, its impact on different broad sectors such as youth, women's health, education, media, human rights, and to marginalized groups as well as daily lives and look for ways to resolve them collectively. The assemblies held allowed forum for the community people to voice their opinions who have fallen aprey to the dire situation of the violent conflict from the state as well as rebel force.

Preliminary site visits were made both to the mid-western and western regions by WOREC staffs to identify local partners and involve the community people in the planning process. The idea was to take the assembly in a participatory manner from the very first step. It was in those preliminary visits that the community people and local leaders showed immense interest and took ownership. The determination for making the assemblies a success, making financial as well as logistic contributions, and bringing people together were also made during the prior assembly meetings. It was only with such positive interest and welcome from the local level that we were able to take the idea forward.

The Civic Assembly comprised of a series of programs over two consecutive days. The structure of the program remained same in all the three regions with a slight variation on the issues, which were region specific chosen by the local community. The first day events consisted of inauguration activities, and the presentation of the paper on conflict by key speaker in the morning. In the afternoon session, five simultaneous issue related symposiums were held with a paper presentation, panel discussion, and working group activities on each. On the second day moderators from each symposium presented summary of the issue based workshops, and group work regarding subject matter, attempts being done to resolve the issues, and recommendation/strategy for future directions.

Challenges, difficulties and predicaments were shared by the participants in all the assemblies. The issues were many but overall concerns remained similar.
The security forces are limited only in the district headquarters and few rural areas. The community lives in an extreme state of fear, terror and insecurity. People are dying in lack of health services due to bandhs, absence of health personnel in the villages or lack of transportation for timely check ups. Women have become widows, semi-widows, children orphans and all groups are facing harassments, torture of inhumane nature. The ruling leaders in the capital and the government representatives continue to claim that they have arranged security as well as service delivery systems throughout the nation, but the stories shared by the community people proves that the reality is otherwise. In some cases participants were even reluctant to openly talk about their situations due to fear of the ramifications it could result upon their return to the community by the Maoists and/or security forces. Youth of the village are forcefully recruited by the Maoists, and even if they refrain from joining Maoists they are instead harassed by the security personnel for harboring Maoists. The villages are being vacant due to forced displacement as a result of violent conflict. Inhumane and inappropriate behaviors by the security personnel during security check ups are very insensitive. The daily lives have been crippled due to harassment from both sides, declared and undeclared curfews, bandhs, and lack of security in the communities.

A story shared by a local resident, a guest of honor and a conflict victim Ms. Jasoda Sharma in Baglung held the mass in awe and sympathy. Her husband was taken from the house 2 years ago by the local army but unfortunately even to this day the husband is neither released nor Ms Sharma knows any other news regarding him including the status of his life. She further adds, "Worse, I don't even know what I could tell my children when they ask me whereabouts of their father"

Similarly, there was another poignant story shared by a woman in Dang. Her husband was kidnapped by Maoists. The tragedy being not enough, she was raped by both the maoists as well as policemen in group. She has further been harassed verbally, physically as well as threatened to be killed. She has sought help from a multiple sectors but to no avail. There were a number of such inhumane and atrocious testimonies shared by the participants.

Over 600 participants in both the assemblies had one voice in common--"We urge the state and the insurgents to immediately halt the violent conflict that has accelerated with a dire consequence of infringement of fundamental human rights including extra-judicial killings, rampant torture and involuntary disappearances. The state and the insurgents should immediately declare ceasefire in honor of the long-cherished popular thirst and refrain from protracted conflict keeping in view that dialoguing is the only alternative to enhance just peace, human rights and equitable society"

The local community responded enthusiastically for holding assembly of this scale in heavy conflicted areas such as Dang and Baglung. However, in Dang security personnel were reported to have harassed the partner organizers upon the completion of the program. In Dang despite a Bandh scheduled right after the assembly, people from remote villages and 15 districts made it to the venue to appeal for a need to restore peace in nation. Similarly, in Baglung despite a blockade imposed by the Maoists on food supplies in place and transportation blockade scheduled ahead, participants from 16 districts including remote areas came to actively partake the assembly.

The assembly was able to generate a 14-points and 18-points Declaration for Action in Dang and Baglung respectively based on the presentations, panel discussions, and working groups' outcomes. The assembly concluded with a mass peace rally in Dang whereas in Baglung the program began with a massive peace rally.

Overall, the assembly was able to achieve the objective it had set forth. Significant and common accomplishments for both the assemblies include formation of youth peace network, determination of women's group to pressure the state as well as the rebel parties to bring a violent conflict to an end, strong recommendations for future direction on each region specific issues and the declaration for action for each region.

We will soon hold another regional assembly in far western region and ultimately a large scale one in the capital to put a huge pressure on those in power and the rebel forces to come to dialogue soonest.

Dang Declaration for Action…[click here to see the full text]

Baglung Declaration for Action…[click here to see the full text]