Sahaj Abhiyan (Peace Campaign)

A project to raise the voices of victims of Nepal's armed conflict, through counselling, advocacy and capacity building.

Description

The initiative tries to improve the capacity of communities to fulfil their basic needs and create effective awareness of human rights and peace.

Aims / Objectives

WOREC aims to achieve peace and social justice in the country. It has been working to achieve the goal by strengthening its advocacy campaign for peace and providing psychological support to conflict affected women, youths and children in selected Village Development Councils in conflict areas. 

How it is Articulated

• establishment of counselling centres;
• training in peace, human rights, children’s rights and development;
• publication and dissemination of human rights and peace materials;
• formation and mobilisation of a Community Mediation Forum, Teacher/Intellectual Forum and Human Rights Coordination Forum;
• lobbying and advocacy;
• meetings, interaction and workshops;
• legal assistance, counselling and support for emergency rescue and relief to the conflict victims;
• coordination and facilitation.

Achievements / Learning Points

WOREC has been providing assistance to the families of conflict victims using a needs-based approach, offering services such as emergency shelter, counselling and skill development training. It has been working to increase peoples’ awareness of and sensitivity to the issues that should be included in peace dialogue. The organisation has been working to raise community voices for peace and put pressure on the conflicting parties for a ceasefire and for lasting peace dialogue.

WOREC has 20 counselling centres in five districts (Morang, Sunsari, Dhanusha, Siraha and Udayapur). It has set up a team of volunteers whose main responsibility is the monitoring of human rights violations, particularly women’s rights violations, in the area of atrocities. The organisation has been highlighting many issues concerning violations of women’s rights in general and also violations in connection with conflict.

Geographical Area of Operation

Morang, Sunsari, Dhanusha, Siraha, Mustang, Udayapur Rupendehi and Kathmandu districts.

Funding Resources

Misereor- Germany and Action Aid.