document the achievements. —Deputy Mayor Dangol
Orientation of the network members completed
Falgun 17, 2080, Kathmandu.
The ward-level women’s networks formed under Kathmandu Metropolitan City registered 229 disputes across 19 wards last year (FY 2079/080). Of these disputes, agreements were reached in 144 cases, while 23 did not reach an agreement. Additionally, 18 cases remain in the reconciliation process, and 26 were referred to the central committee. Reports were received from wards 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 21, 26, 29, 30 and 31. Details were not received from other wards last year.
For the first six months of the current fiscal year, 148 disputes have been registered across 12 ward networks (wards 2, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 16, 20, 23, 29, and 30). Of these, 98 cases have been resolved through agreement, 9 remain unresolved, 15 are still in process, and 19 have been sent to the central committee.
Since the judicial committee, coordinated by the Deputy Mayor, delegated authority to the wards, more disputes that previously came to the metropolis are now being resolved locally. This shift has saved both time and money for the parties involved.
Speaking at the orientation program for network officials at Kathmandu Plaza today, Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol emphasized the importance of keeping detailed records: “Let’s maintain a tight record of the work done in this way. The women’s network should demonstrate the capacity of women through result-oriented work. Documenting achievements will make it easier to measure our impact.”
"The work of the network will contribute to building a society based on social justice and the work of the judicial committee to dispense justice. This will demonstrate the successful practice of judicial decentralization. We have to work for this," Dangol said.
During that time, Chief Administrative Officer Pradeep Pariyar said, “The role of women in the ward-level women's networks formed in the local government, which is a laboratory of democracy, especially in the central capital city of Kathmandu, is meaningful. There are causes of disputes, and there are also methods of dispute resolution. I have felt that it has been used successfully.”
Presenting a working paper at the orientation program, Head of the Law and Human Rights Department Basanta Acharya said, "How are disputes being registered, how is the reconciliation process going on, who is coordinating it, how has the legal right of the parties to choose a mediator been used, whether regular meetings have been held or not, and whether a quarterly report has been prepared and sent to the center?" after returning from the orientation, the members of the network should be clear on these issues."
Structure of the Women's Networks
Under the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Women’s Network Operation Procedure 2079, each ward’s women’s network is led by a female ward member as the coordinator. The structure includes
3 selected members: 2 from representatives of organizations active at the ward level against violence against women and 1 from mediators, legal practitioners, social workers, or journalists working in the field of women's rights.
Dalit women members and, if possible, members of the women's representative committee from the nearest police office have been appointed. The ward secretary is the member secretary.
According to Acharya, the network can mediate in all civil complaints. The main task of the network is to create a feeling that there are people with a judicial mind by ensuring that both the parties are in the best interests of the parties and the opposition.
Justice at Midnight: Stories from the Frontlines of Kathmandu’s Ward Women’s Networks
“We are not heard. Justice takes too long. The system is costly and untrustworthy—and people in pain avoid it altogether.”
Studies have shown that people who are in pain do not come into contact with such assumptions. But as Basanta Acharya rightly said during the orientation, “Understanding the pain of the person and working to solve the problem is our primary responsibility.”
Ward-level women’s network coordinators have firsthand experience with a wide variety of disputes reported at the community level. These include family conflicts such as in-laws not getting along, daughters clashing with their husbands’ families, and elderly parents being neglected due to strained relationships between sons and daughters-in-law. Property disputes, missing persons (such as young men who impregnate teenage girls and disappear), and issues with absentee tenants are also common.
Other recurring cases involve inter-caste marriages, denying elderly people entry into their homes, threatening parents for money, verbal abuse under the influence of alcohol or drugs, domestic violence, home theft, financial disagreements, and even allegations of witchcraft. One shocking case involved a granddaughter who, after drinking with her boyfriend, threatened him with a knife and demanded a large sum of money. These cases reflect how evolving social dynamics are manifesting in deeply personal and sometimes volatile ways.
Notably, violence isn't limited to women—men, too, have been victims in some of these cases. Often, calls for help arrive late at night, even around midnight. Someone’s life can be ruined while we are sleeping," shared one coordinator, emphasizing the urgency and unpredictability of their work.
Despite the emotional toll and difficult encounters, members of the network remain committed. They shared that many situations are unspeakably painful, yet must be faced with resilience. While the existing procedures have helped clarify roles and processes, there remains a strong need to improve practical skills and legal literacy.
“As we work to deliver justice to others, we must also build our own capacity,” one member said. There is a shared call for Kathmandu Metropolitan City to invest in training programs that strengthen the legal and practical competencies of network members.
Responsibilities and Role of the Ward-Level Women’s Network
The women’s network was established to provide quick and local access to justice for women facing violence, exploitation, discrimination, and other forms of injustice. It also supports the broader mission of building a gender-responsive local government in the capital. Through this grassroots initiative, justice is being brought closer to the people—one ward, one story, and one resolution at a time.
The network will receive complaints or applications from victims and those affected by violence. Upon receiving such complaints, the network provides legal and psychological counseling in accordance with the law. When necessary, the network also facilitates immediate access to health services, treatment, relief support, and financial assistance. To ensure proper support, the network may coordinate with organizations offering free voluntary legal services.
In addition to handling cases, the network plays a proactive role in advancing women’s rights as guaranteed by the constitution and existing laws. It is responsible for implementing Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s policies on preventing violence against women and may refer cases to the judicial committee, police, or other relevant authorities for further action under the prevailing legal framework.
The network is also mandated to collaborate with judicial and quasi-judicial bodies, as well as with community and public welfare organizations, to promote social justice and support the social rehabilitation of victims.
To ensure transparency and accountability, the network must submit a quarterly progress report to the judicial committee detailing its activities. The work done by the committee will be monitored and supervised by the deputy mayor.