A high-level advocacy meeting was organized by Commission for Religious Organization of Bhutan (CROB) in partnership with RENEW and UNFPA from 7-9th June 2023, which saw the participation of more than 107 religious organization chairpersons registered with CROB. At this meeting, Lopen Karma Jurmey from Pemalingpa Foundation shared the successful integration of Life Skill Education (LSE) into the monastic curriculum at Tamzhing Lobdra and Kenchosum Shedra. He highlighted the positive transformation observed among student monks in the past year since its implementation. Fourteen Religious Organizations expressed keen interest in integrating LSE into their monastic curriculum.
Furthermore, the chairpersons were sensitized on Druk Gi Tsechu Garcham Gi sheba initiative, which was launched in 2018 by the central monastic body and Royal Academy of Performing Arts in collaboration with RENEW and UNFPA, where Tsechu festivals were used as platforms to disseminate social messages. A total of forty religious organization expressed strong enthusiasm to incorporate Druk Gi Tsechu Garcham Gi Sheba into their local festivals.
The Chief of CROB presented a guideline on sexual harassment prevention for implementation in Choedeys. The Guideline is expected to not only provide guidance towards effectively preventing and responding to the incident of sexual misconduct but also address harmful social norms within the communities.
UNFPA Bhutan Country office’s partnership with religious leaders as agent of positive social changes, began in 2011.
