Socio-Economic Empowerment of Women In Nepal

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