Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KATHMANDU2062
2007-12-11 10:06:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kathmandu
Cable title:
NEPAL: TAKING ACTION ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
how-toVZCZCXRO8775 OO RUEHCI DE RUEHKT #2062 3451006 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 111006Z DEC 07 FM AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7589 INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 6194 RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO PRIORITY 6515 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA PRIORITY 1771 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 4540 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 5780 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 2053 RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA PRIORITY 3911 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 1932 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 3034 RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFIUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS KATHMANDU 002062
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWMN PREL KPAO PHUM KDEM EAID NP
SUBJECT: NEPAL: TAKING ACTION ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
REF: SECSTATE 142614
Summary
-------
UNCLAS KATHMANDU 002062
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWMN PREL KPAO PHUM KDEM EAID NP
SUBJECT: NEPAL: TAKING ACTION ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
REF: SECSTATE 142614
Summary
--------------
1. Mission KATHMANDU hosted a film festival, several speakers
and a reception to mark the 16 Days of Activism Against
Gender Violence and International Human Rights Day. Post
used these events to help raise awareness and engage an
audience on issues related to violence against women. A
synopsis of the events follows.
Mission Hosts Film Festival To Mark 16 Days of Activism
-------------- --------------
2. In recognition of the importance of the U.S. Government's
efforts to address violence against women worldwide and to
protect human rights for women as part of the President's
Freedom Agenda, Mission KATHMANDU hosted a film festival
marking the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. At
a press event on November 26, the Charge d'Affaires explained
the significance of the 16 Days and formally announced the
film festival. At this same event, in observation of "White
Ribbon Day" and in memory of the women who were killed in the
Montreal Massacre, the Charge asked that all male Mission
employees pin a white ribbon on their lapels and join him in
a pledge never to commit, condone nor remain silent about
violence against women.
Film Festival Highlights Nepal's Challenges
--------------
3. On November 27, and on each weekday following until
December 7, the Embassy screened a different acclaimed film
using the Embassy's new public viewing facilities. The
festival was free and open to the public. The schedule of
films and instructions for reserving a seat were featured in
several Nepali newspapers. Each film addressed local
cultural and social attitudes, as well as specific human
right violations that women in Nepal face. On several days
the Embassy was able to host the producer of the featured
film or a speaker who could lead a discussion expanding on
the film's message.
Ambassador Observes International Human Rights Day
-------------- --------------
4. On December 10, to mark International Human Rights Day and
the end of the 16 Days of Activism, the Ambassador honored
over 50 defenders of women's human rights at a reception at
her residence. She also attended several events, including
one hosted by the Prime Minister and one by the National
Human Rights Commission. Post also used this occasion to
announce a 2.3 million USAID grant to the Office of the UN
High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal. The
press release announcing the grant and all of the activities
were widely covered in the press, making the front page in
two of the English dailies.
Comment
--------------
5. Over a dozen Mission personnel from USAID, Public Affairs
and the Political/Economic section worked together to ensure
the success of the film festival and to reach as many people
as possible. The response from the public was outstanding
with more than 50 people attending each day; more than 500
overall. The films provoked discussion and thought and the
festival overall was publicly praised for helping to create
public awareness about the plight of girls and women in Nepal.
POWELL
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWMN PREL KPAO PHUM KDEM EAID NP
SUBJECT: NEPAL: TAKING ACTION ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
REF: SECSTATE 142614
Summary
--------------
1. Mission KATHMANDU hosted a film festival, several speakers
and a reception to mark the 16 Days of Activism Against
Gender Violence and International Human Rights Day. Post
used these events to help raise awareness and engage an
audience on issues related to violence against women. A
synopsis of the events follows.
Mission Hosts Film Festival To Mark 16 Days of Activism
-------------- --------------
2. In recognition of the importance of the U.S. Government's
efforts to address violence against women worldwide and to
protect human rights for women as part of the President's
Freedom Agenda, Mission KATHMANDU hosted a film festival
marking the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. At
a press event on November 26, the Charge d'Affaires explained
the significance of the 16 Days and formally announced the
film festival. At this same event, in observation of "White
Ribbon Day" and in memory of the women who were killed in the
Montreal Massacre, the Charge asked that all male Mission
employees pin a white ribbon on their lapels and join him in
a pledge never to commit, condone nor remain silent about
violence against women.
Film Festival Highlights Nepal's Challenges
--------------
3. On November 27, and on each weekday following until
December 7, the Embassy screened a different acclaimed film
using the Embassy's new public viewing facilities. The
festival was free and open to the public. The schedule of
films and instructions for reserving a seat were featured in
several Nepali newspapers. Each film addressed local
cultural and social attitudes, as well as specific human
right violations that women in Nepal face. On several days
the Embassy was able to host the producer of the featured
film or a speaker who could lead a discussion expanding on
the film's message.
Ambassador Observes International Human Rights Day
-------------- --------------
4. On December 10, to mark International Human Rights Day and
the end of the 16 Days of Activism, the Ambassador honored
over 50 defenders of women's human rights at a reception at
her residence. She also attended several events, including
one hosted by the Prime Minister and one by the National
Human Rights Commission. Post also used this occasion to
announce a 2.3 million USAID grant to the Office of the UN
High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal. The
press release announcing the grant and all of the activities
were widely covered in the press, making the front page in
two of the English dailies.
Comment
--------------
5. Over a dozen Mission personnel from USAID, Public Affairs
and the Political/Economic section worked together to ensure
the success of the film festival and to reach as many people
as possible. The response from the public was outstanding
with more than 50 people attending each day; more than 500
overall. The films provoked discussion and thought and the
festival overall was publicly praised for helping to create
public awareness about the plight of girls and women in Nepal.
POWELL