Networking Meeting with Stakeholders & Interaction Program

Raksha Nepal (RN) organized a networking meeting with stakeholders & interaction program on 25 December 2015 at CW restaurant Kamaladi, Kathmandu to discuss about the problem and challenges of women working in the so-called entertainment sectors such as: dance, cabin restaurant and massage parlour. Many recognized personalities from government sector, police department attended the program.

There were altogether 50 participants including Raksha Nepal staffs. Assistant Inspector General of Nepal Police, Senior Superintendent of Police, 3 Deputy Superintendent of Police, Police Inspectors, representative of Kathmandu metropolitan city, representatives of different NGOs and journalists from renowned newspapers had participated in the program.

Likewise lawyers and women who work in the entertainment sectors were also present to discuss about their problems. Chairperson of the national women commission Manu Humagain was the chief guest of the program. The meeting was chaired by the chairperson of the Raksha Nepal Ms Menuka Thapa.

In the program, 5 victims/vulnerable women who are working in the entertainment sectors such as: dance bar, cabin restaurant and massage parlour openly shared their problems. Among them, two were earthquake affected victims and they had arrived in the capital city only six months ago. They said that while working in their jobs they were involved in sex profession forcefully. The journalists also spoke about the disappointed situation of women working in the entertainment sectors.

Eight police officers put forward their notions in the program. The senior officers said that police is anytime ready to help the workers women if they make complaints against any types of exploitation. However, they mentioned that first the girls and women should be aware about their rights. The officers also stressed that the young women should get training and skills for their income generation. The officers also admired the work of the Raksha Nepal.

In addition to this, some of the officers said that police is also a part of a society. So, the people and the police should join their hands together to end all types of violence against women.

Similarly, Government representative from the Kathmandu metropolitan office asked the Raksha Nepal to act as bridge between the vulnerable women and the government bodies to help the women. The representative also stated that a victim should share her problems openly to the concerned organizations to get justice.

In the interaction program, Chairperson of massage professional association opined that the entertainment sectors jobs should be regulated and made respected. He said that the police and the government officials have assisted a lot in comparison to previous time and the working condition has improved than before.

Chairperson of National Women Commission Manu Humagain who was the chief guest of the interaction program praised every action of the Raksha Nepal and said that the RN has done the job that the government has to perform. The chairperson spoke about the essential rights of the women working in the entertainment sector and informed that the national women commission is working forward to make the existing laws related to women more effective and compulsory.

At last chairperson of Raksha Nepal Menuka Thapa spoke about the needs and importance of the interaction program. She thanked all the participants for their valuable presence and also informed that such types of meeting will be organized by the RN in every trimester. Ms Menuka Thapa said that the RN is representing the voiceless group in making public their sufferings and also informed that the RN has been providing transit shelter and income generating livelihood training as the alternatives for the vulnerable women. In addition to this, she shared and informed that the RN has also been supporting the internally trafficked women and girls by providing short term shelter, food, health check up and legal support.

Finally, the program was very effective in disclosing the problems of the women working in the entertainment sectors .All of the participants including the police officer present at the meeting made a commitment that they are also together in fighting against all forms of injustice to the women inside the entertainment sectors. The RN hopes that in future, these sorts of interaction programs will be very fruitful to find a solid resolution to solve the problems of the workers women working in their work places.