On the occasion of its 31st General Assembly, the Women, Law, and Development Forum conducted a social audit of its programs and plans for the fiscal year 2082–083. Social auditor Sanju KC reported providing 1,350 legal consultations, advocating in 3,511 citizenship cases, and facilitating 16 cases. Representatives from Kathmandu Metropolitan City and police officials lauded the forum’s free legal advice, citizenship assistance, and awareness-raising roles. The event took place on 5th Bhadra in Kathmandu.
The social audit evaluated the progress of the implemented programs and plans during the fiscal year 2082–083. Sanju KC explained that the audit was conducted following legal procedures to assess annual progress, transparency, and accountability of the institution.
Among the forum’s outstanding initiatives highlighted was a voter education program video from the recent elections. KC emphasized that the social audit offers an opportunity for the forum’s future journey. She stated that recommendations emerging from this process would aid improvements in procedures, methods, objectives, goals, strategies, and policy advocacy. The Women, Law, and Development Forum provided 1,350 legal consultations last year, conducted orientation training for 223 federal and 43 provincial lawmakers, and advocated in 3,511 citizenship cases. Furthermore, capacity-building training was conducted for 6,666 local representatives, 11 justice sector officials, and 98 journalists, along with facilitation in 16 legal cases, according to KC.
KC also detailed the forum’s contributions to lawmaking in various local governments across five provinces, election monitoring, and women’s rights advocacy. Praising the forum’s work in citizenship acquisition for stateless individuals, women’s rights, and social sectors, Hiralal Tandukar, chairperson of Ward-11, Kathmandu Metropolitan City, noted that many vulnerable persons entangled in legal complexities received justice through the forum’s free legal counseling. Sosham Niraula, head of the Social Department of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, described the forum’s role in social and legal reform as significant. She recalled the commendable work and efforts in program execution and extended best wishes for further progress.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Basanta Pathak from the Anti-Trafficking Bureau expressed readiness for continued cooperation with the forum. He stressed the importance of awareness since ignorance of the law is no excuse and praised the forum’s notable contribution to spreading legal awareness in society. During the event, Anupam Alemagar and Krishna Thapamagar shared their success stories of obtaining citizenship with the support of the Women, Law, and Development Forum after being stateless. Forum secretary Advocate Laxmi Pokharel highlighted the purpose of the program and the importance of the social audit.
