"Workshop on the Role of responsible local bodies in implementation of laws and policies for Reducing gender-based violence" program was conducted on 27th Ashad, 2080(July 12, 2023) Wednesday, Alfa House, Baneshor, Kathmandu. It is the part of workshop and awareness program activity of Legal and Psychosocial counseling for Feminist Resilience in the face of COVID-19, Phas II supported by WFA Kaagapay fund PhaseII. The workshop aimed to discuss and address GBV issues of the victims, the role of local government bodies, implementation of existing laws and policies and identify potential areas for improvement to better protect the rights and safety of Indigenous women. Local government representatives, lawyers, GBV victims from the Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur districts participated in the program. The workshop program was conducted by Secretary of INWOLAG Adv. Kaushila Rai. The program started at 8am which was chaired by Chairperson of INWOLAG Adv. Indira K. Shreesh, Chief Guest Honorable Deputy Speaker of House of the Representatives Indira Rana inaugurated ceremony by lighting the lamp and the program formally started with the National anthem. The welcome of the guests, introduction about the organization and objectives of the workshop was briefed by the Chairperson Adv Indira Shreesh. The Nepali translation of CEDAW GR No.39 (2022) on the Rights if Indigenous Women and Girls was also launched by Chief Guest and Guests of the program for public, published by the INWOLAG supported by FIMI. The second session started with the presentation from Program Officer Adv Dikshya Laxmi Shakya briefing about the project. She explained the objectives, activities of the project, also discussed about the cases of legal aid provided by the INWOLAG. She explained on the laws and policies related to rape, incest, domestic violence and also violence relating to Sexual Offences and presented on situational status of the cases of the working districts. The Deputy Superintendent of Police from Nepal Police Headquarter, Ministry of Women, Children and Senior citizen Service Directorate Ms Rupa Thapa presented on the topic "Role of Nepal Police for Reducing Women Violence". She briefed about the background on the Women, Children and Senior Citizen Service Centers, the statistical report on the gender violence especially on indigenous women, and attempts of the Nepal Police in reducing gender violence. She informed Nepal Police Women, Children and Senior Citizens Service Centers are actively operating under the direct supervision of Women, Children and Senior Citizen Service Directorate (WCSCSD) in all 77 districts. She also informed about the role and duties of Nepal Police in preventing the gender violence which included strengthening, broadening the scope and efficiency of women, children and senior citizen service centers, building police capacities especially in relation to handling of GBV related cases, collecting, compiling and scientifically analyzing disaggregated data on crime against women, children and senior citizen from WCSCSCs all across the country, she further explained production and publication of informative materials on GBV and raising public awareness on prevention of Crime Against Women, Children and Senior Citizen. Also she emphasized organizations for coordinating and networking with concerned stakeholders in prevention and response to GBV. The Program Coordinator of INWOLAG Ms. Arzoo Rana gave overview on CEDAW, the existing law, and policies, relevant to the violence against women, especially focusing on the challenges that Indigenous women face. Likewise, recently released GR-39 of the CEDAW committee was discussed among the participants. She briefed about the importance if the CEDAW and its relation with the indigenous women and the role of the government for implementation of laws. The Psychosocial counsel for the project Ms. Sita Lama discussed on the importance of Psychosocial counseling for GBV victims. She also discussed the importance of mental health and the need to focus on the mental health of especially women who have been through any form of violence as it will have a profound and lasting impact on their psychological well-being. The participants showed interest and raised questions regarding the issues. The floor was later opened for discussion from the participants where many issues and questions from the participants were discussed relating to rights of women and mental health issues. The local officers responded by welcoming the suggestion through making relationship between the organization and government, coordinating with organizations for activities to resolve GBV issues, also cooperating with victims to coordinate on the cases. The meaningful participation of the local representatives was remarkable, which showcased the enthusiasm to end the gender based violence issues. The program was concluded by thanking the participants presented for the program.