Women’s forum for 12th Annual ANMA/NASeA Joint Convention was held on September 2 – 4, 2016, St. Louis, Missouri. Theme of the program was Women’s Empowerment and Domestic Violence

Date: September 3, 2016

Schedule: 2:30 4:00

–              Moderator: Astha Acharya – Programs Started exactly at 2:30

–              Moderator introduced herself and called speakers at the dais.

–              First she called -Mrs. Ambassador (Gauree Thakuri Karki) to chair the program.

–              Then she called all three speakers (Mukesh Singh, Urmila Panti and program convener Ms. Madhavi Basnet Karki to the dias.

–              Madhavi Karki welcomed guest by telling how important it is to reiterate about Women’s empowerment and domestic violence in our Nepali community. She shared her experience on attending Domestic Violence special hearing in Sri Lanka with Redhika Kymarashawmy – United Nation Special Rapporteur. The Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993, calls for states and the international community to work toward abolition of violence against women. Ms. Karki stated violence against women is a widespread problem in Nepalese society. Male domination and female subordination created by the patriarchal society spreads women suffering, where their voices are unheard in the culture of acceptance and silence.

Ms. Karki also presented a powerpoint presentation on issue presented where she showed chart of cycle of violence, cycle of domestic violence on immigrant community. She emphasis more on “power and control” wheel by telling audience how cycle of violence will change when there is equality and a healthy intimate relationship based on non-violence and equality. The basics of domestic violence (definitions, statistics, effects on children, why people are abusive) and how Nepali community members in USA can respond to domestic violence. Furthermore she stated every 9 seconds, a woman is battered in the US. 1 out of 3 women will be hurt at some point throughout her life, physically or sexually, by a husband or boyfriend. Based on police records women are 7-14 times more likely to report suffering severe physical assaults from an intimate partner. She ended her speech by asking community to police each other and speak out. She also emphasis community organizations role on keeping community safe from violence.

2. Speaker 2: Attorney at law Mukesh Singh emphasis on Men’s Roles in violence prevention efforts. He basically stated that there should be zero toleration of any kind of violence.

3. Speaker 3: Urmila Panthi explained Resources available, government, laws, non-profit organizations, especially those dedicated to South Asians, any such models in benefiting Nepali community in USA.

Final Note by Mrs. Ambassador, Chief Guest Gauree Thakuri Karki- In today’s forum we heard lots of issues/concerns regarding violence against women. The United Nations Secretary-General, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, said that “violence against women is a universal problem that must be universally condemned. ”I totally agree with that statement, it is a universal problem. She also stated we have done so much of progress of electing all women leaders in Nepal. The Nepalese origin Americans and hundreds of new immigrants who are in the US through Diversity Visa (DV) program, experience a lot of confusion and sufferings in their day-to-day lives. Organizations and forum as this will certainly help them to get clarity and guidance. They always seek support and direction.    We, Nepali community, need to come together to help them. Advocacy, awareness, coordinating and networking with different organization having a similar objectives and mission will also help. We should be able to refer the clients to the specialized organizations for specific service.  Best wishes to all you and once again, thank you!

Program was attended by more than 100 people. Mr. Ambassador and all ANMA NASeA president also attended this forum and involved in an interactive question/answer session.