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Kathmandu, July 19: The CEE SRHR Innovation Hub which is a part of the Community Engagement Exchange Program (CEE),  sponsored by the US Department of State and supported in its implementation by IREX is set to host the South Asia CEE Innovation Hub Forum on “Hamro Bahini-Youth Mobilization in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Literacy” on July 19 in collaboration with the United For Impact, and other stakeholders like Baithak, Lodhran Pilot Project  (LPP), Education, Employment Environment (ECUBE] from Pakistan;  Resilience and Voice Out from Sri Lanka, and AalapOn from Bangladesh.

Hamro Bahini, initially a project led by a CEE fellow from Nepal under the Non-Profit Organization United For Impact and supported by Resilience Sri Lanka, aimed to bridge the gap in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) literacy among adolescent girls in Nepal. Through educational initiatives and awareness programs, it focused on empowering girls by providing comprehensive information on SRHR issues. The success of Hamro Bahini in Nepal led to its expansion to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan as part of the CEE SRHR Innovation Hub. This Innovation Hub is a key component of the Community Engagement Exchange Program, sponsored by the US Department of State and implemented by IREX.

The forum will bring together a diverse group of experts, policymakers, and activists to discuss and address critical issues related to SRHR in the region. The event will commence with an opening ceremony featuring a welcome address by Les Miles, Project Director of the Community Engagement Exchange Program (CEE). Special guests Erica Alon Alexander, Cultural Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Nepal; Dr. Sameena Vaidya Rajbhandari, National Coordinator for Cervical Cancer and SRHR at the WHO; and Samir Ghimire, Program Analyst for Gender and Human Rights at UNFPA, will also deliver remarks. The ceremony will be graced by Chief Guest Hon. Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Nepal. Prakriti Dhakal, Founder of the CEE SRHR Innovation Hub and Executive Director/Co-Founder of United for Impact, will represent the host organization.

The forum will feature two pivotal panel discussions. The first panel, “Navigating the Intersection of Digital Violence and SRHR,” will explore the impact of digital violence on access to and control over SRHR. Esteemed panelists including representatives from Cyber Bureau Nepal Deepa Bhattrai,  Dr. Roshani Amatya from IPAS, Adv. Rukamanee Maharjan from Nepal Law Campus, Ayesha Amin, Founder of Baithak, Pakistan and Pratiksha Rajopadhya, Mental Health Practitioner, will highlight strategies for safeguarding these rights through policy, education, and technology. The second panel, “Addressing Inequality in Infertility Care,” will discuss disparities in infertility care and propose equitable solutions. Panelists for this session include Dr. Chanda Karki, Member of Parliament and Gynecologist, Sunita Mainali, Executive Director of WOREC Nepal, Dr. Bina Shrestha, Former FPAN Program Director, and Dr. Aakriti Bharati, Obstetrician-Gynecologist at Vatsalya Natural IVF Clinic. This discussion will be followed by an interactive Q&A session.

In addition to the panel discussions, the forum will include a keynote speech on “Climate Change Emergencies and SRHR from a Nepalese Perspective,” delivered by Khusbu Poudel, Program Coordinator for Climate Change, Gender, and SRHR at IPAS. This session aims to shed light on the intersections between climate change and SRHR, emphasizing the need for integrated approaches to address these challenges. Participants will also engage in an interactive workshop on maintaining SRHR services during emergencies, facilitated by Dr. Novil Wejisekara, Founder of the CEE SRHR Innovation Hub, and Adv. Sushmita Chhetri, Former Chief of Staff at the Secretariat of Member of Parliament.

The forum will conclude with an open discussion and feedback session, and closing remarks by Pavel Rahman, Member of the CEE SRHR Innovation Hub and AaLopan-Bangladesh. Adding a cultural dimension to the forum, there will be a vibrant cultural performance, providing attendees with a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the region.

The South Asia CEE Innovation Hub Forum aims to foster dialogue, share knowledge, and develop innovative solutions to improve SRHR for adolescents across South Asia. This event is a crucial step toward creating an inclusive and equitable society where the sexual and reproductive health rights of all individuals are discussed, respected, and protected.

People’s News Monitoring Service.