Socio-Economic Empowerment of Women In Nepal

The SEWAM - 13 continues its socio-economic empowerment and transformation programs for women and
marginalized in 7 women groups of Kumroj, Hariyon, Haripur and Bindhi of Chitwan, Sarlahi and Dhanusha
districts respectively.
The SEWAM program has been divided into four major components. The first part of the program focuses on
technical and economy literacy trainings with an objective to strengthen capabilities of the target WAGs to initiate
small scale income generating activities. The second part of the program focuses on Self-help community
development programs enhanced by women and socially excluded groups through coordination meeting and
establishing trust fund to encourage more target women to start small scale businesses. The third part of the
program comprises of awareness/education on climate change, UN Security Council Resolution 1325, 1820,
gender equality and women rights. The fourth and last component of the program focuses on orientation, review
and monitoring of the program activities for effective and efficient operation of the program.
This report comprises the activity conducted under Socio-economic Transformation for Women and Marginalized
Program SEWAM - 13, supported by World Accord (WA). The SEWAM-13 program was initiated in April, 2024
with an objective to enhance economic opportunities and to improve the socioeconomic conditions of poor and
marginalized women. The SEWAM-13 program was built upon the achievements made, lessons learnt,
recommendations provided by the SEWAM women groups and partners and the observations made during
monitoring visits by WPD Nepal.

The program continues its socio-economic empowerment programs for women and marginalized in the villages
and districts of Kumroj in Chitwan, Hariyon and Haripur in Sarlahi and Bindhi in Dhanusha districts of Bagmati
Province and Madhesh Province of Nepal.
During the reporting period (April 01, 2024 – March 31, 2025), several trainings were conducted to enhance skills
and knowledge of women members of the target communities. Civic Education and Leadership training, Selfhelp
Group Management training, Refresher training on Animal Husbandry, Organic Vegetable Farming,
Awareness Program on Women’s Mental Health, Program Orientation, Monitoring from Central level and Field
level Annual Review and Planning Meeting were conducted in all of the 7 groups during the reporting period.
Likewise, 233 women took new loans from group fund and trust fund and started income generating activities.
Among which 131 of them are involved in Goat raising, 20 (Vegetable farming), 11 (Snack shop), 7 (Wheat cultivation), 5 (Auto rickshaw), 8 (Tailoring), 1 (Bangles), 1 (Lentils cultivation), 11(Paddy cultivation), 1 (Duck raising), 2 (Mustard cultivation), 18 (Rice and Maize cultivation), 6 (Cow raising), 7 (Buffalo raising) and 4 (Poultry farming).

Goal: Creation of condition for enhancing sustainable social harmony, peace through socio-economic
empowerment process.

Objective:
To empower traditionally excluded women groups socially, economically and politically to live a
dignified life in the society
To institutionalize women affinity groups to sustain (socially just, financially viable and environmentally
rationale) development process with spiral growth and multiplication of effects
Expected Outcomes
Women Affinity Groups strengthened and promoted.
Self-help community development programs enhanced by women and socially excluded groups and other
stakeholders enhanced.
Women and socially excluded groups, local government agencies, non-profit organizations, civil society
and the media sensitized on the issues like climate change, women rights, decentralization planning
process, and UN Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 1820.
Target Area, Partners and Women Groups
The target areas of the program are the 4 villages of Chitwan, Sarlahi and Dhanusha districts of Bagmati Province
and Madhesh Province. The immediate beneficiaries of the program are the women, marginalized and
disadvantaged groups (DAG) who are the members of the women groups formed under SEWAM Program

During the project period, among the proposed activities, all of the 48 activities has been successfully
accomplished. On the activities conducted, 175 women members including motivators participated in Civic
Education and Leadership training, 178 women members participated in Self-help group Management training,
178 women members participated in Refresher training on animal husbandry, 178 women members participate in
organic vegetable farming training, 171 women members participated in Awareness program on Women’s Mental
Health. Similarly, an Annual Review and Planning Meeting among program staff and women groups was also
conducted in Hariyon, Sarlahi where 2 women (from each group) along with motivators participated in the
meeting.

Activity Wise Detail Report
1. Strengthened capabilities of women and marginalized of the target communities to initiate smallscale
income generating activities
1.1. Civic Education and Leadership Training
Activity Summary: The civic education and leadership training focuses on building women members’
understanding of civic rights, responsibilities, democracy, and good governance while building their leadership
skills for community engagement. Discussions on civic education covers topics such as rule of law, civic duties,
and addressing community challenges. While, the leadership focuses on interpersonal skills, teamwork, conflict
resolution, and effective decision-making. Practical activities, including group discussions were done to build
confidence and leadership capacity of women members for community-based initiatives. Details of the civic
education and leadership training participants is in ANNEX I.
Objective:To enhance women members’ understanding of civic rights, responsibilities, democracy, and good
governance
To develop leadership skills, including teamwork, communication, conflict resolution, and decisionmaking,
enabling women to actively engage in community development initiatives
Methodology: Interactive lectures, group discussions and case studies and problem-solving sessions
Major Output/ Outcome:
Increased awareness among women members about civic rights, responsibilities, and democratic
principles.
Improved leadership skills, including effective communication, teamwork, and decision-making.
Development of action plans for addressing community challenges and promoting local governance

A sense of growing together continues with collective farming among the women groups. 

Collective Mustard Cultivation: A collective farming of the women groups continues. In Hariyon, Sarlahi, women members of Janajagriti WAG collectively started doing mustard cultivation in 3 Biga land. Each member harvested 60 kg of mustard. This shows the strong bond and cooperation among the women. By supporting each other, they were able to achieve a good harvest and understand the power of team work. This experience taught them that working together makes task easier and more productive. 

Collective Paddy Cultivation: In Haripur, Sarlahi, in Dipjyoti WAG, every year, during the month of November, each member contributes to harvesting a total of 10 kilograms of paddy, which they sell in the local market. Instead of spending the profits earned impulsively, women members save it in the group fund for emergencies.

Collective organic vegetable farming: After participating in organic vegetable farming training,Namuna WAG collectively rented two Kathas of land and started collective pea farming. They earned a profit of Rs. 23,000 from the first phase of pea farming. Using this profit, they again started doing rice cultivation. After cultivating rice, Rs. 8,000 of profit remained. So, the group rather than wasting the money, they saved the remaining amount in the group fund. 

Women taking leadership role in Community Development:

One of our proudest achievements is seeing women members actively contributing to the development working in the target communities. The Chair of Namuna WAG, Bagadi Chaudhary is a member of the Judicial Committee in Ward No. 12 in Chitwan . Likewise, Shova Thami, Subhadra Budhathoki, Sarita Yogi, Anu Budhathoki, Gauri Thami, and Lal Kumari Thami have been contributing as a member of the community development committee in Hariyon, Sarlahi, where they work together to improve their area. Additionally, Urmila Bista, the Treasurer of Janajagriti WAG, is on the working committee of Sathini Women Cooperative, managing important financial tasks and organizing health camps organized by the cooperative. These women are setting great examples by leading important roles, supporting their community, and inspiring others to get involved as well. Their efforts show how women can make a real difference in their communities and help bring positive change.

 More women in income generating activities: During the reporting period72 women took new loans from group fund and trust fund and started income generating activities. Among which 48 of them are involved in goat raising, 6 (Vegetable farming), 4 (Wheat cultivation), 2(Auto rickshaw), 2 (Paddy cultivation), 2(Tailoring), 2 (Cow raising), 2 (Mustard cultivation), (1) snack shop, (1) buffalo raising, (1) poultry farming and 1 (Lentils cultivation).  

 Women passing goats received through animal bank: Women members who received goats through the animal bank have been actively passing them on to other members of the group. By sharing the goats, the women have not only been helping one another to build a sustainable source of livelihood but also have strengthened the bond among the women members.

 Motivator Supporting Women in Overcoming Challenges: Ranju Sada, a member of Rajdevi WAG, didn’t have citizenship because her community didn’t allow women to have it. People in her community believed that it would challenge men’s authority if women with citizenship could work and own land. Puja Mahato, a motivator of Dhanusha kept encouraging Ranju to fight for her rights and finally with help from local government and motivator, Ranju got her citizenship.

• Total group saving: Total saving of the groups have reached Rs. 1,578,020.

Links:

• Video about our project in Nepal