Nepal, 7 January 2024 – Saathi Nepal, a non-governmental organization established in 1992 to address contemporary challenges being faced by Nepali women, recently concluded a successful consultative stakeholder dialogue focused on addressing the critical issues of underage drinking and domestic violence. The event garnered significant participation, with over 60 attendees representing various crucial sectors, including key federal ministries, provincial ministries for social development, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) advocating for child and women’s rights, and media representatives.
The dialogue was structured into two essential sections: an inaugural plenary session followed by an insightful panel discussion, with the overall event jointly organized with the Ministry of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens (MOWCSC). The active involvement and endorsement of MOWCSC highlighted the urgency of promoting responsible drinking practices to combat gender-based violence (GBV) and underaged drinking and . Citing the prohibition of liquor entirely in our country, they underscored the need to foster less harmful drinking behaviours.
Suman Raj Aryal, Secretary of MOWCSC, Chair of the program, emphasized the need for comprehensive discussions regarding modalities and policy frameworks aimed at promoting drinking habits that are conducive to an individual’s physical, mental, familial, social, and economic well-being. Throughout the dialogue, there were extensive deliberations on implementing robust measures to tackle underage drinking and binge drinking practices. The discussions encompassed strategies to effectively address the root causes and consequences of these issues.
Additionally, the event was covered in The Himalayan Times, Nepal’s foremost English national daily. The media coverage served as a valuable means to amplify the discourse and raise awareness of these pressing societal concerns.
