Kathmandu: The Forum for Women, Law and Development (FWLD) has completed a social audit on the occasion of its 31st General Assembly. The audit reviewed the progress of programs completed and plans implemented during the fiscal year 2082/83.

Social auditor Sanju KC said the social audit was conducted in accordance with regular legal procedures to evaluate the organization’s annual performance, transparency and accountability. During the program, a video highlighting one of FWLD’s major achievements of the year—the voter education program conducted during the recent election—was also screened.

Highlighting the objectives of the social audit, KC said it provides an opportunity for FWLD to improve its future activities. She said the suggestions received through the audit would help the organization improve its processes, working methods, objectives, targets, strategies and policy advocacy.

According to KC, FWLD provided 1,350 legal consultations during the past year, conducted orientation training for 223 federal and 43 provincial lawmakers, and provided legal advocacy in 3,511 citizenship-related cases. The organization also provided capacity-building training to 6,666 local-level representatives, 11 people from the justice sector and 98 media professionals, and facilitated 16 cases.

She said FWLD supported lawmaking processes in various local governments across five provinces and also worked in election observation and the promotion of women’s rights.

Kathmandu Metropolitan City Ward-11 Chairperson Hiralal Tandukar praised FWLD’s contribution to citizenship issues, women’s rights and the social sector. He said the organization’s free legal services had helped many people from disadvantaged communities who were struggling with legal complexities to obtain justice.

Reviewing FWLD’s role in the social sector and lawmaking, Kathmandu Metropolitan City Social Development Department Chief Samiksha Niraula said the organization had carried out many commendable activities. She said FWLD’s efforts in implementing its plans were noteworthy and expressed her best wishes for further progress in the coming days.

Superintendent of Police Basanta Pathak of the Anti-Human Trafficking Bureau said the police were always ready to cooperate with FWLD. He said lack of knowledge of the law could not be considered an excuse and that public awareness was therefore essential. He praised FWLD’s role in raising legal awareness in society.

During the program, Anupam Ale Magar and Krishna Thapa Magar shared their success stories of obtaining citizenship with the support of FWLD after previously being considered non-citizens.

FWLD Secretary and Advocate Laxmi Pokhrel highlighted the objectives of the program and the importance of social auditing.

The program was conducted by Santosh Chaudhary and chaired by FWLD President Geeta Aryal.