What skills, resources, or support do researchers in Nepal need to enhance their research? What challenges do researchers and practitioners in Nepal face when trying to work together and apply research findings to real-world programs or policies? On September 4, 2024, a meeting was held in Kathmandu, Nepal to share SVRI supported research in Nepal conducted by three of the past SVRI grantees[1],[2],[3]. The meeting provided researchers, practitioners and government officials an opportunity to discuss the challenges they face and the opportunities for advancing research on violence against women (VAW) and violence against children (VAC) into practical solutions in Nepal.

Challenges faced by researchers and practitioners

Research investments have helped us understand the drivers of VAW and VAC and produced some effective interventions. However, most resources are still concentrated in high-income countries (HICs). When research is conducted in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), it is often led by HIC researchers, who control the agenda and research questions, continuing colonial legacies and knowledge hierarchies.^[4] At SVRI, we believe that empowering LMIC researchers with resources and decision-making power leads to better solutions and increases the chances of scaling them to improve vulnerable populations’ well-being. However, research in LMICs is hindered by poor investment and colonial knowledge hierarchies, limiting the generation of evidence needed for culturally relevant and sustainable programs and policies Consequently, LMIC researchers often are disadvantaged in terms of resources, priorities, capacity to translate research into practice^[5]

Capacity strengthening

Several key capacity strengthening priorities to strengthen the evidence ecosystem in LMIC like Nepal were identified by the stakeholders at the meeting in Kathmandu. Attendees expressed various capacity needs felt by them on how to use an intersectional approach in research, and the latest methods and tools available for research on VAW and VAC. A common challenge identified was writing for publication. SVRI grantee partner Sambhav acknowledged this gap and shared that they have a policy of inviting both research staff and NGO partners to co-author papers, ensuring everyone involved contributes to the writing and critically reviews manuscripts.

One stakeholder shared:

“We do a good job in getting the research done, reports get written, but when it comes to being a first author in a journal publication, I personally feel I lack the confidence to do so, I know several young researchers might share the same feeling.”

As one participant highlighted:

“We move from one research study to another, and our funding almost never allows us to spend time with our community partners to disseminate and facilitate this knowledge translation, we have no resources to create tools etc. to aid the translation of evidence into practice.”

Sharing research findings and applying evidence

Participants noted that while resources to undertake research were limited, research must be shared and applied not only to avoid duplication but also to enhance its impact and foster innovation. Further, where dissemination of research findings is taking place, it does not always reach or speak to ‘non-technical’ audience like policy makers, communities and organizations that working with them. These groups need to understand the research’s implications and take ownership of it. Several stakeholders expressed frustration that limited funding forces them to prioritize securing the next project over fully understanding, sharing, or applying the findings from current research. The constant need to generate funds leaves little time for learning, reflection, or influencing long-term change.

One researcher spoke about the importance of sharing research especially with NGO partners:

“When I present the findings of our study on prevention of domestic and intimate partner violence, there is always some NGO partners who walks up to me and say that they had never heard about this research, as these findings are relevant to their work on addressing VAW in families”.

A leader from a women’s organization noted:

“I feel excited about the research, but I am unsure of how to use it to improve our programs.”

It became apparent that researchers need to focus on the ‘how’ as well as the ‘what.’ More collaboration and investment in the ‘how’ is needed, as practitioners were excited about new research but found it challenging to understand how to integrate it into their programs.

This highlights the need to not only share findings but also ensure research can be translated into practice to strengthen the prevention of and response to VAW and VAC in Nepal. Both the researchers and practitioners agreed that the full potential of evidence generated through research is not achieved until the evidence is rigorous, is shared widely and is also used to enhance programs and policies that affect women, children and communities. While there was no disagreement among stakeholders regarding the need to translate evidence into practice, factors that were identified as barriers in knowledge translations varied.

Opportunities for strengthening the research ecosystem in Nepal

A few key messages emerged from the interactions, highlighting several gaps and opportunities for strengthening the evidence ecosystem in Nepal. These include addressing capacity needs of researchers for updating research skills, and better sharing of evidence to make research findings accessible and fostering collaboration. Specifically a need for continuous skill development for researchers to keep them updated on research methodologies; improved sharing of evidence to make research findings accessible and actionable for practitioners and policymakers; enhanced collaboration is essential,  and a need for a common platform to facilitate ongoing communication, knowledge sharing, and resource access among researchers and practitioners like informal convenings, such as communities of practice, could foster collaboration, dissemination of publications, and funding opportunities.

On a positive note, a representative from the Nepalese government expressed a commitment to supporting research initiatives focused on addressing violence against children. This government support underscores the importance of building a stronger, well-connected evidence ecosystem, especially in areas vital to child protection and welfare.

In conclusion, the discussions in Kathmandu highlighted both the challenges and the significant opportunities for strengthening Nepal’s research ecosystem. By investing in local researchers’ capacity, fostering collaboration, and ensuring the practical use of the evidence, we can make meaningful progress in preventing and responding to violence against women and violence against children.

Written by Priti Prabhughate and Morma Moremi, SVRI.

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^[1] Diffusion of Gender Norms Change at the Community Level in Nepal – presented by 2018 SVRI grantee Equal Access International

^[2] Family-based intervention to address domestic violence against women and mental health- a single arm trial- presented by SVRI 2023 grantee- Sambhav (Possible)

[3] Online intimate partner violence against teens and young people in Nepal- presented by 2021 SVRI grantee- ChildSafeNet.

[4] Charani, E., Abimbola, S., Pai, M., Adeyi, O., Mendelson, M., Laxminarayan, R., & Rasheed, M. A. (2022). Funders: The missing link in equitable global health research?. PLOS global public health, 2(6), e0000583.

[5] Murunga, V. I., Oronje, R. N., Bates, I., Tagoe, N., & Pulford, J. (2020). Review of published evidence on knowledge translation capacity, practice and support among researchers and research institutions in low-and middle-income countries. Health research policy and systems, 18, 1-21.