From August 22nd to 24th, 2024, GNI Nepal organized a ‘Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Training’ for its staff in Lalitpur. The training aimed to create a gender-friendly workplace by integrating gender-sensitive practices into organizational processes and promoting GESI-responsive programming across all stages of the project cycle. Its objectives included fostering the adoption of gender-responsive strategies in program planning, execution, and evaluation; strengthening the PSEA mechanism through targeted training and resources; encouraging staff accountability in upholding GESI and PSEA principles; and creating a supportive, inclusive environment where staff feel empowered to advocate for GESI, prevent gender-based violence (GBV) and sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), and report concerns related to SEA.

The training had the participation of 68 staff members from the head office and cluster offices. Using a mix of lectures, group work, discussions, and interactive games, the program helped broaden participants' understanding of GESI, GBV, and PSEA, while encouraging them to recognize their roles in promoting gender equality and preventing abuse. Additionally, staff were equipped with skills in developing GESI frameworks, conducting GESI analysis, applying GESI markers, and integrating GESI-responsive programming with a transformative approach.

The participation of staff from diverse levels and functions further enriched the training, making it a powerful platform to reinforce the organization’s commitment to GESI and its stance of zero tolerance toward GBV and SEA. This diverse representation ensured that GESI principles and the PSEA framework were integrated across all areas of the organization, strengthening collective accountability and fostering a unified approach to promoting an inclusive and safe work environment.