Supporting Women and Girls After the Nepal Quake

In the aftermath of humanitarian disasters, incidents of sexual and gender-based violence increase. To support victims of violence after the devastating earthquake that struck Nepal in April 2015, UNFPA sought to establish 13 Female Friendly Spaces. Female Friendly Spaces are an essential resource as gathering places for women, but in many instances they also serve as primary residences.

All 13 of the planned Spaces have been established. Between April and September of 2015 they were used to assist 40,000 women and girls throughout the areas of Nepal most-affected by the earthquake. Specifically, 283 survivors of gender-based violence were treated. UNFPA also trained and mobilized 12 psychosocial counselors, 14 case managers, and 65 psychosocial first aid volunteers.

UNFPA has also worked with district health officials to operate mobile health camps, which provide life-saving healthcare including antenatal and postnatal checkups, safe delivery services, family planning, HIV testing, psychosocial support, and gender-based violence management. UNFPA has operated 121 mobile camps so far, which are open in a particular location for three days at a time. The concept of “Dignity First,” also developed into a public awareness campaign by UNFPA, has served as a cornerstone in all of UNFPA’s post-earthquake recovery work in Nepal. Dignity First reminds the humanitarian community that women and girls require special attention and that their dignity needs to be preserved and respected. UNFPA promoted this campaign and its underlying concept while actively involved in inter-agency and government-led work.

Links:

• UNFPA's work in Nepal