Expression of Interest (EoI)

TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR)

For

A Study to Map the Situation of Existing GBV Networks, Referral Mechanisms, and Implementation of SGBV Related Laws, Policies, and Programs in Kapilvastu (Bijaynagar and Shivraj Municipalities)

1. Background

WOMEN ACT is a national-level, non-profit, women-led organization established in 2007 as a network of women-led NGOs committed to addressing gender inequality and advancing the rights, empowerment, and protection of women and girls in Nepal. Women Act works to promote women’s social, economic, educational, and political development while advocating for the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls, including gender-based violence (GBV), sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), trafficking, and harmful social norms and practices.

Kapilvastu district remains one of the districts in Nepal facing significant gender inequality, child marriage, domestic violence, trafficking, and various forms of GBV and SGBV. Although district and municipal structures exist to address GBV, there is limited comprehensive evidence regarding the effectiveness of GBV networks, referral systems, implementation of laws and policies, budget allocation, GBV Fund governance, and institutional gaps.

Women Act, as part of the Plan International supported ‘Breaking the Silence’ project, therefore intends to conduct an in-depth study to map the current situation of GBV networks, referral systems, implementation of SGBV laws and programs, and institutional gaps in Kapilvastu district and selected municipalities.

• The study findings will generate critical evidence to:
• Hold local duty-bearers accountable,
• Strengthen policy advocacy,
• Guide strategic planning,
• Improve GBV response budgeting,
• Strengthen GBV Fund allocation and implementation.

A validation and dissemination workshop will be organized involving district and municipal stakeholders.

2. Rationale

Women Act’s rapid assessment and field consultations in Kapilvastu district, particularly in Bijaynagar Rural Municipality and Shivraj Municipality, reveal that GBV is a widespread and deeply rooted issue driven by harmful social norms, stigma, patriarchal power structures, and weak institutional systems. Violence against women and girls, including child marriage, domestic violence, sexual violence, and harmful traditional practices, remains significantly underreported due to fear, social pressure, lack of trust in justice systems, and limited survivor-centered support mechanisms.

Marginalized groups, including Dalit women, minority communities, adolescent girls, persons with disabilities, and socially excluded populations, face heightened vulnerabilities due to intersecting discrimination and limited access to justice and services. Although legal frameworks, municipal structures, GBV funds, and response mechanisms exist, implementation at district and local levels remains fragmented, under-resourced, and poorly coordinated.

Existing GBV networks, referral systems, judicial mechanisms, and service providers often lack strong coordination, technical capacity, confidentiality standards, and effective governance. This creates significant barriers for survivors seeking protection, justice, and support.

Therefore, this study is essential to comprehensively map existing GBV networks, referral pathways, implementation of SGBV-related laws, policies, programs, and GBV Fund governance in Kapilvastu and selected municipalities. The findings will provide critical evidence to identify institutional and structural gaps, strengthen accountability of local duty-bearers, improve policy implementation, enhance survivor-centered response systems, and guide strategic advocacy, planning, and budgeting for more effective GBV prevention and response.

3. Objective of the Consultancy

Overall Objective

To conduct a comprehensive study that maps and assesses the status of existing GBV networks,

referral mechanisms, implementation of SGBV-related laws, policies, and programs (including GBV Fund) in Kapilvastu district and selected municipalities.

Specific Objectives

• Map all existing GBV-related networks, coordination committees, and institutional actors,
• Assess the functionality and effectiveness of referral pathways for GBV survivors,
• Review implementation status of SGBV-related laws, policies, and programs at district and municipal levels,
• Analyze governance, budget allocation, and utilization of GBV Funds,
• Identify institutional, structural, financial, legal, and service delivery gaps,
• Develop evidence-based recommendations for strengthening systems, policies, and accountability.

4. Scope of Services (Responsibilities of the Consultant/ Consulting Firm)

Under the overall supervision of Women Act, the consultant or consulting firm will undertake the following:

Desk Review and Policy Analysis

• Review national and local laws, policies, strategies, and frameworks related to GBV/SGBV,
• Analyze district and municipal plans, policies, budgets, and GBV Fund mechanisms,
• Review relevant reports, studies, assessments, and secondary data,
• Assess implementation status of legal and policy provisions.

Mapping of GBV Networks and Stakeholders

• Identify district and municipal GBV coordination structures and committees,
• Map relevant stakeholders including:
  • Local governments,
  • Judicial committees,
  • Police,
  • Health institutions (including OCMCs)
  • NGOs/CSOs,
  • Safe homes/shelters,
  • Women’s groups,
  • Legal aid providers,
  • Community-based structures, etc.
• Analyze roles, coordination effectiveness, and institutional relationships.

Referral Mechanism Assessment

• Map survivor referral pathways,
• Assess service accessibility, responsiveness, confidentiality, and survivor-centered approaches,
• Evaluate coordination among service providers,
• Identify bottlenecks and service delivery challenges, etc.

Review of SGBV Law, Policy, Program and GBV Fund Implementation

Assess implementation of:

• SGBV laws,
• GBV prevention and response policies,
• Municipal GBV strategies,
• Awareness and prevention programs,
• Protection services,
• GBV Fund mobilization guideline, governance and utilization,
• Analyze budget allocations and expenditure patterns, etc.

Data Collection

Conduct consultations/in-depth interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with key stakeholders, including Mayors/Chairs, Deputy Mayors/Vice-Chairs, judicial committees, police (Women and Children Service Centers), health providers, relevant municipal officials, GBV and survivor networks, NGOs/CSOs, young and adolescent girls and boys, etc.

Gap Analysis: Critically assess the institutional framework and referral mechanisms from a gender and survivor-centric lens.

• Structural Gap Analysis,
• Institutional gaps,
• Financial gaps,
• Legal implementation gaps,
• Coordination gaps,
• Capacity gaps,
• Service accessibility gaps, etc.

Reporting and Dissemination

• Draft and submit comprehensive report with findings, challenges, and recommendations for multi-sectoral actions,
• Present findings at a dissemination workshop in Kapilvastu for district and municipal stakeholders,
• Incorporate stakeholder feedback,
• Submit final report and policy recommendations.

5. Timeframe of the Consultancy

The consultancy starts as soon as possible and it is for 20 working days, to be completed within an agreed timeframe of 30 calendar days from the date of contract signing. The consultant is expected to efficiently manage all phases of the assignment, including inception, data collection, analysis, draft report submission, and presentation of findings during the validation workshop within this period.

6. Deliverables, Timeline and Payment Schedule

Women Act will reimburse following the completion and submission of the required deliverables within the specified timelines. The payment schedule will be processed as presented below:

Note: Ensure that all deliverables are of high quality, accurately reflect the findings and recommendations of the study, and meet the specified requirements.

7. Ethics and Confidentiality

The consultants or the consulting firm must strictly adhere to the highest ethical standards:

• Adhere to ethical standards throughout the study, ensuring informed consent, confidentiality, and anonymity of participants,
• The consultant must follow strict safeguarding protocols to ensure the safety and well-being of all minors and adolescents.
• Written informed consent must be obtained from parents or legal guardians from the adolescent participants themselves. Participants must be clearly informed of their right to withdraw at any time without penalty.
• Written informed consent must be obtained from parents or legal guardians, alongside the voluntary informed approval from the adolescent participants themselves. Participants must be clearly informed of their right to withdraw at any time without penalty.
• Data collection techniques must prioritize the psychological safety of participants, ensuring that the process of mapping referral mechanisms does not trigger re-traumatization or secondary trauma.
• All data collection must ensure total anonymity. No identifying information or photos of minors shall be used in reports to prevent unauthorized access.
• Obtain necessary approvals and permissions from relevant authorities (if needed) before conducting any data collection/interviews.

8. Competencies for the Consultant or the Consulting Firm

The consultancy shall be led by an independent professional or consulting firm that has the following qualifications and experience:

• At least 5-7 years of experience in gender studies, SGBV research, human rights, policy analysis, and mapping assignments,
• Expertise in gender economics and social sector policy is highly desirable to assess the strategic formulation of GBV response budgets,
• Strong understanding of Nepal’s legal framework regarding SGBV and the local government’s role in managing GBV Funds,
• A proven track record in critically analyzing both national legislation and local-level municipal policies is required, with a focus on identifying implementation gaps,
• Strong interpersonal skills are essential for navigating sensitive consultations with government authorities, traditional community leaders, and survivors in high-stratification zones,
• The firm or consultant must possess extensive experience in conducting specialized social research, specifically focusing on GBV, SGBV, and human rights within the context of Nepal’s federal structure,
• Proven track record in qualitative and quantitative research; fluency in Nepali and English (knowledge of local languages in Kapilvastu is a strong asset), etc.

9. Qualification, Required Skills and Experience for Individual Consultant/Proposed Consultant by the Consulting Firm

• Lead researcher must hold at least a Master’s degree in Law and Gender Studies or a related field,
• Demonstrated experience working in multi-ethnic and highly stratified communities,
• Demonstrated experience in public procumbent, gender analysis, gender mainstreaming, and gender policy advocacy in social and economic development, etc.,
• A minimum of 3 years' experience working on similar assignments/projects focusing on public procurement and GEDSI related policies.
• Previous exposure to public procurement and gender-related assignments/analysis.
• Strong written skills in English and good command over Nepali as a medium of communication.
• Demonstrated knowledge and work experience in social research, etc.

10. Requirement from the Consulting Firm

The consulting firm must submit the following documents for minimum eligibility. Only consulting firms meeting the minimum eligibility will be considered for the selection process.

• Organization’s renewed registration/legal certificates,
• A copy of PAN/VAT registration certificate,
• Latest tax clearance certificate,
• Latest audit report of the firm/company,
• Organization profile highlighting similar previous or ongoing experiences and assignments,
• Signed CVs of proposed consultant/s, etc.

Experts/consultants or firms expressing interest are requested to submit an Expression of Interest (EoI) along with substantiating evidence to validate their expertise, capabilities, and past experience, including:

• A concise technical proposal (limited to 8 pages max) outlining methodologies and strategies to meet the TOR requirements, along with a financial proposal (limited to 1 page) detailing costs associated with TOR tasks (max 10 pages altogether including cover page),
• Current resumes/CVs of the proposed consultant/s with at least three references,
• A sample of a relevant assignment report, if possible/available.

Interested consultants or consulting firms must submit their EoI electronically to info@womenact.org.np by May 20, 2026.