A workshop on "Building Back Better and Safer for Gender Equality" was hosted in the Capital on Friday. The event was jointly organised by Australian Embassy, United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, (UN Women) and Sancharika Samuha Nepal.

The programme included three thematic panel discussions: Representation of women in efforts for building back better; livelihood opportunities and capacity development during reconstruction; and Legal challenges faced by women during/after the earthquake.

During the event, member of the National Reconstruction Authority, Bishnu Bhandari, outlined how the gender issues will be addressed in the reconstruction process, including meaningful representation of women, their access to livelihood opportunities and support on legal issues related to the ownership of property by women survivors of earthquake.

Addressing the program, Australian Ambassador to Nepal, Glenn White said, "Reconstruction is not only about nuts and bolts of building houses. It is an opportunity to re-calibrate a society which has gender equity and actively encourages women to contribute to the decisions affecting their lives."

Addressing the workshop, former Chief Justice Kalyan Shrestha stressed on the need for security and safety of people in the process of reconstruction. Former CJ Shrestha said, "The process of reconstruction should not be limited to physical infrastructure but seen as an opportunity for the reconstruction of a mindset that improves behaviour, norms and values which can lead to better life and civilisation."

President of the Sancharika Samuha Nepal, Nirmala Sharma said, "Acceleration of reconstruction is crucial for recovery and development. Gender-specific recovery communication strategies should be developed for informing people about the progress of reconstruction project from a gender perspective. Women should also be involved in the process to effect change in society and at the state level."

In her closing remarks, Sharu Shrestha, Strategic Partnership Specialist on behalf of UN Women representative Ziad Sheikh said, "As the dialogue today has highlighted, the issues and challenges we must address go beyond meeting women's specific protection needs. They must include ensuring women are at the centre of decision making and that they play their full part in building back their country."