Representatives from implementing agencies of the SAARC Development Fund funded project, Toll-Free Helpline for Women and Children in SAARC Member States met in Thimphu for their project inception meeting from November 16-17, 2017.

The USD 4 million project will be implemented in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka during the first phase and Bhutan, Pakistan and Maldives will join the project in the second phase. The meeting saw the finalisation of sustainability plan and transfer of technical knowledge, annual work plan, log frames and experience sharing or exposure visit to Bangladesh. SDF’s CEO Sunil Motiwal said the helpline is the direct operationalisation of the SAARC Convention on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Women and Children. “The intra-country mechanisms will bring convergence to the efforts of the member states to prevent and combat trafficking of women and children.”

On November 14, representatives of implementing agencies for the Promoting Integrated Bamboo Based Enterprise Development among SAARC countries project met in Thimphu. The project is implemented in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and Pakistan. The project aims to benefit farmers, artisans, micro and small enterprises, designers, traders and exporters by promoting bamboo based enterprises for income generation and employment opportunities. “The creation of sustainable high value economic opportunities from this project will certainly improve the quality of life for farmers, artisans, micro and small enterprises, designers, traders and exporters in the SAARC region,” Dr Sunil Motiwal said.

Staff Reporter

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