Nepal Red Cross Society Reviews Safeguarding System Progress Mid-Term

The Nepal Red Cross Society has conducted a mid-term review of its progress with the objective of institutionalizing and strengthening its safeguarding system. At the review program, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens, Anju Dhungana, provided information on government policies and programs in the area of protection for women and children and 'safeguarding'.

Representatives from partner national societies including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), British Red Cross, American Red Cross, Finnish Red Cross, Swiss Red Cross, and Danish Red Cross, along with Nepal Red Cross representatives, expressed the view that challenges observed in 'safeguarding' and the need to prioritize awareness, complaint collection, timely response, and assistance in the area of protection in the days ahead.

Subhechha Manandhar, Nepal Red Cross 'Safeguarding' Program Coordinator, after providing information on the safeguarding and 'safeguarding' targeted activities completed and the organizational evaluation at the central and provincial levels of NRCS, the conclusion reached through group work was to focus on the referral system and protection for whistleblowers to strengthen the 'safeguarding' system.

Divyaraj Paudel, Director of the Safeguarding, Gender, and Inclusion Department of the Nepal Red Cross Society, on behalf of the organizers, stated that positive results have been achieved from past protection activities. He mentioned the significant role of the Nepal Government's One-Stop Crisis Management Center and informed that all levels of NRCS volunteers and staff will be motivated to develop a culture of protecting communities and aid workers from all forms of abuse and discrimination and to implement a victim-centered approach. The Nepal Red Cross Society maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment.