31 July 2021, Kathmandu
In a bid to create awareness on LGBTIQ issues, Mitini Nepal, a Non government organization working for the rights and dignity of LBT women conducted teachers training and orientation program in Kathmandu, New Baneshwor on Saturday. A total number of 32 teachers representing various public and private schools and colleges from Bagmati province were participated in the program which started with the welcome remarks of social mobilizer of Mitini Nepal Bishnu Thapa. The program was focused in order to inform teachers about sexual and gender minorities community to eradicate possible discrimination that may take place at school.
Speaking on the program, president of Mitini Nepal Laxmi Ghalan shed light on the journey of the establishment of Mitini Nepal, LGBTI movement and history along with the challenges due to legal disparities that the community have been facing. Ghalan stressed on the issue of same sex marriage focusing on marriage equality.
Similarly, Executive Director of Mitini Nepal Sarita KC highlighted on the issues of sex, gender and sexuality. KC shared that there is no way to expression for people with diverse sexual orientation and gender identity. She also stressed on that the lawmakers have no proper knowledge regarding the community issues and most importantly LGBTI students are facing discriminated behavior by teachers and even by their peer groups solely because they have different feelings. LGBTI students are often targeted to hate crimes, speech, bullying, harassment, violence, discrimination among others.
The participants were provided with pre-questionaire in order to gain existing understanding of them regarding the LGBTI community where Executive Director Sarita KC moderated the question/answer session as well. Samikshya Sharma, volunteer of Mitini Nepal also shared her experience working for the community. Videos related to LGBTI terminology, constitutional rights guaranteed for the community, their participation in the upcoming national census and IVF technology were presented in the program.
At the end session, feedback were collected from the participants through meta card. Teachers were very thankful for organizing such a program and they committed working to create LGBTI friendly school/college environment putting collective efforts. Teachers representing Centennial Secondary School, Bhanu Bhakta Memorial, Panchakanya School, British Gurkha College, Ganesh School, Genial Modern Academy, Biswashanti Academy, Millsberry School, Joseph Public School, Whitefield International College, Praxis International Academy, Tribhuwan University, Joseph High School, Blooming Flower School,Mahendra Rastriya School, Dhapasi Secondary School, Sunrise Boarding School, Eurasian School were participated in the training and orientation program along with Mitini Nepal staffs, community members, volunteers and media persons representing different media. The program was conducted by program officer of Mitini Nepal Bimala Gurung.
