Center Holds SRHR Capacity Building Workshop for Journalists in Nepal

On February 25, 2022, the Center for Reproductive Rights along with its partner Forum for Women, Law and Development (FWLD) conducted a capacity building workshop for journalists in Nepal on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Fourteen journalists from a range of Nepal-based publications participated in the workshop, which also featured discussions by leaders in SRHR and journalism.

The workshop aimed to strengthen the capacity of the journalists in the legal and policy framework of SRHR and build their ability to engage in movement building for the decriminalization of abortion.

During the workshop:

• Hon. Justice Kalyan Shrestha, the Former Chief Justice of the Nepal Supreme Court, drew on his expertise to map the existing legal jurisprudence around SRHR.
• Mr. Shiva Gaunle, former president of the Federation of Nepali Journalists, highlighted the relationship between investigative journalism and SRHR issues.
• Ms. Prabina Bajracharya, the Center’s Senior Manager for Asia, examined the international human rights law principles and standards to reproductive rights, particularly around abortion rights.
• Mr. Sabin Shrestha, Executive Director of FWLD, highlighted the importance of journalists’ role in unpacking SRHR issues in Nepal.  He also explained the fellowship opportunity for journalists that the Center and FWLD is providing, which will enable the journalists to create print, audio and visual stories on decriminalization of abortion and the full realization of SRHR services for adolescents and persons with disabilities.

“Reproductive health and rights are crucial to advancing gender equality in Nepal,” said Bajracharya. “We rely on journalists to educate the public about these issues that affect people’s daily lives—and we’re grateful to all of today’s participants.”

View photos from the event (courtesy of FWLD):