International Alert, together with partners Antenna Foundation, Equal Access, Forum for Women, Law and Development, the Institute of Human Rights Communication Nepal and Saferworld, recently held a series of trainings in Security Sector Reform (SSR) for civil society and media representatives in Nepal.
Fifteen civil society representatives from six districts around Nepal and the capital Kathmandu were coached to become trainers in SSR issues and advocacy techniques. Over the coming months, this pool of trainers will teach over eight-hundred community members, civil society and media representatives all over Nepal to understand and engage in debates on SSR, and to put local security and justice needs on the country’s SSR agenda.
An additional 30 journalists and radio producers were also trained to be able to report effectively and safely on issues related to the reform of Nepal’s security sector. Over the next two years these journalists will produce more than 100 radio programmes, public service announcements and newspaper articles designed to raise wider public awareness of SSR issues and to broaden the security debate beyond Kathmandu-centric political circles.
The accessible and accountable provision of security and justice is essential for Nepal’s long-term development and sustainable peace. Any reform process must therefore address the needs of different types of people, taking into account local and regional realities and concerns. These trainings form part of a two-year consortium initiative aimed at supporting Nepali civil society to inform and monitor the development of inclusive justice and security sector reform policy and practice at the local, regional and national levels.
The initiative’s next steps include nationwide radio-programming to raise public awareness and broaden debate around SSR; facilitating dialogue between service providers such as the Nepali Police, local governments and local communities; supporting local civil society to develop strategies for advocacy at both local and national levels; and producing policy briefs to inform national and international policy-makers of the local needs with regards to the provision of security and justice in Nepal.
The initiative is funded by the Danish Embassy in Nepal.