Broadcasting the message
Bringing the authorities and communities together in Nepal
The signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement on 21 November 2006 ended a decade of fighting between the then Communist Party of Nepal (CPN-Maoist) and the Government of Nepal. The conflict took a heavy toll on Nepal, undermining stability and violating human rights. In this post-conflict period, it is important that the voices of communities are heard so that their security needs and concerns are considered as part of any reform of the security and justice sector.
As part of a joint programme to empower civil society in Nepal to contribute to justice and security sector reform (JSSR), Saferworld and partner NGOs have conducted assessments of people’s perceptions of security and justice in six districts affected by insecurity and weak governance in Nepal. The research included geographically, ethnically and economically diverse communities and focused on the concerns of particular groups, including women, youth, marginalised ethnic, caste and religious communities, as well as consulting with government authorities and security providers.
The research highlighted that people in Nepal continue to feel insecure. Based on feedback from the assessment we recommend that the police should increase their visible presence and trust among the local people through interaction, community policing and joint initiatives to address security and justice needs. Improving public understanding of security and justice issues will also help to provide more accountable judicial and legal services.
To ensure that ordinary people are included in the security reform debate, we are supporting local NGOs Antenna Foundation and Equal Access Nepal to broadcast a series of radio programmes, on differing issues relating to security sector reform. Live talk shows and recorded dramas on topics such as policing, violence against women, and the inclusion of minorities in the security sector are broadcast nationally each week. Listeners from all over Nepal can participate through a toll free telephone line and interact directly with the prominent guests such as political leaders, security experts, and opinion makers.
The broadcasts are raising the profile of security and justice issues and giving the public an opportunity to engage in a public forum with security providers. Feedback from participants via phone calls, emails, SMS and letters is very positive and encouraging. Through training provided to local journalists the project is also helping to build the capacity of local civil society to hold the government to account on these issues and engage constructively in the debate.
