Sancharika Samuha (SAS), Nepal
With the objective of addressing the issue of ‘Women and Media’, Sancharika Samuha (SAS) which is a forum of women journalists and communicators was established in April 1996 in Nepal. As its slogan ‘Communication for Equality’ implies mainstreaming gender in the media has always been the overriding concern of SAS. For this purpose, SAS has been conducting various activities on media advocacy on gender and equality particularly related to reducing gender based violence. SAS has also been conducting activities for raising awareness by conducting public outreach programmes, research, Sancharika feature service, media monitoring and media campaigns. With these activities and programmes, SAS has been able to play a catalyst role between the women’s movement and the media contributing to generate better understanding and bridging the differences that exist.
Furthermore, in order to empower and motivate journalists to advocate for in-depth coverage of GBV and UNSCR 1325 issues through print and electronic media, Sancharika Samuha advocated for and covered GBV issues nation wide, monitor media as well as conducted a national level media campaign on UNSCR 1325 and 1820 and their relevance to Nepal. The activities conducted under this were orientation for journalists (print and electronic), interaction with editors/news chiefs/publishers and with film sector. We also conducted a strategic planning workshop on the implementation of government’s commitment in regard to National Plan of Action on UNSCR 1325 and 1820 against GBV Year 2010 with the focus on raising awareness and successful implementation of laws.
Sancharika Samuha also organized District Consultation Programme in two districts of Western Nepal for the process for development of National Plan of Action on UNSCR 1325 and 1820.
Sancharika Samuha has had successfully conducted different programs focusing on Constitution Assembly (CA) with regard to peace process. The programs were developed and designed to see the impact before and after the CA election. The grounds behind such programs were, in the political sphere, the contribution of women has never been a decisive factor and it was worth to discuss the issues that is of women and that concerns them in their personal and professional life. The program mainly aimed to address issues such as active participation of women in CA election, the importance of female candidacy, the significance of using the voting rights of being Nepali citizen and also to campaign the women’s perspective on CA.
Website: www.sancharika.org
Contact Details:
Sancharika Samuha Nepal (Forum of Women Communicators and Journalists); GPO Box: 13293, Ekantakuna, Jawalakhel, Lalitpur; Tel: 977-01-5000519/5551182; Fax: 977-01-5551182
Email: Sancharika@wlink.com.np
