The French Embassy in Nepal has once again stepped forward to support Saathi Nepal, one of the country’s leading organizations working to end gender-based violence and promote women’s rights. On May 26, the French Embassy shared a post on X.com confirming the renewed partnership:

"It was a great pleasure to meet @Saathi_Nepal and learn more about their inspiring projects. We are also happy to renew our financial support to Saathi as in the past. -VC, 26.05"

The initials "VC" in the post refer to Virginie Corteval, the Ambassador of France to Nepal, who is seen in the photo shared by the Embassy during a formal handover meeting. Ambassador Corteval's presence underscores the high-level diplomatic attention France continues to devote to gender equality and civil society engagement in Nepal.

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What is Saathi Nepal?

Established in 1992, Saathi Nepal is a nonprofit organization committed to eliminating violence against women and girls across Nepal. It operates four women’s shelters in Kapilvastu, Nepalgunj, Kathmandu, and Kanchanpur, providing immediate safety, legal counseling, psychosocial support, and rehabilitation services.

Saathi is also known for its innovative campaigns and policy influence, including:

• "Voices for Justice": a digital storytelling platform that brings survivor stories to the forefront.

• Police partnerships to improve GBV case handling and build community trust.

• Men and boys’ engagement programs, including public campaigns like the 2011 football initiative "Our Goal: Stop Violence Against Women."

• Advocacy for gender-sensitive laws, contributing to Nepal’s progress in addressing workplace harassment, reproductive health, and domestic violence.

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How Is France Supporting Saathi Nepal?

The exact funding figures have not been disclosed, but France has maintained a consistent relationship with Saathi Nepal. In 2024, the French Embassy played a vital role in the South Asia Regional Dialogue on Gender Equality, hosted by Saathi in collaboration with Nepal’s Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens. This regional event focused on engaging men and boys in promoting gender equality and was supported under the “Empowered Women, Prosperous Nepal” initiative.

France’s contribution reflects its broader global agenda to support human rights defenders, especially women-led organizations, through cultural diplomacy and direct cooperation.

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Leadership at Saathi Nepal

Saathi continues its mission under capable leadership:

Executive Director:

• Suvekchya Rana

Executive Board Members:

• Sajani Amatya – President

• Shailaja Rana – Vice President

• Soni Joshi – Secretary

• Keshu Shrestha – Treasurer

• Pinky Singh Rana, Bimala Shrestha, Sulakshana Rana, Saraswati Sharma, and Raj Kumar Goley – Members

Advisory Board (Past Presidents):

• Dr. Madhuri Rana Singh (1992–1998)

• Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba (1999–2001)

• Pramada Shah (2002–2007)

• Uma Rajya Laxmi Shah (2016–2021)

This leadership body ensures the organization remains both grassroots-driven and policy-oriented, grounded in the lived realities of Nepali women.

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International Partnerships Matter

Saathi Nepal has built a web of support beyond France, including contributions from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and interest from Luxembourg in gender justice and domestic violence rehabilitation. These global partnerships help scale local actions into national impact.

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Final Thoughts

As Nepal navigates deep-rooted gender disparities, Saathi Nepal stands as a beacon of hope. France’s renewed backing, led by Ambassador Virginie Corteval, strengthens the foundation for a safer, more equal society. While the work is far from over, every partnership like this brings the vision of gender justice closer to reality—one shelter, one story, and one survivor at a time.

France in Nepal Saathi Nepal