Program Overview
| Program Name | Gender Equality for Holistic Community Development |
| Duration | 5+ years (ongoing) |
| Location | Rural communities across Nepal, including Okhaldhunga, Tarakeshwor, and Jitpurphedi |
| Key Focus | Building gender equality by promoting equal opportunities, economic empowerment, and leadership development for women and marginalized groups |
Gender equality in Nepal is an ongoing challenge, especially in rural communities where traditional gender roles are deeply ingrained. Although progress has been made, the country still faces significant disparities between men and women in terms of education, employment, and political participation. Volunteers Initiative Nepal (ViN) addresses these issues with the Gender Equality for Holistic Community Development program. This long-term initiative promotes gender equality through education, economic empowerment, and leadership development for women and marginalised groups. With over 20 years of experience in rural Nepal, ViN is uniquely positioned to create sustainable change.
The Need for Gender Equality in Nepal
Nepal ranks 115th in the 2022 Global Gender Gap Index, reflecting ongoing disparities between men and women in critical areas such as education, employment, and political representation. Rural women, in particular, face unique challenges due to social norms and limited access to resources. The need for gender equality in Nepal is clear:
Education
Female literacy rates are still lower than male literacy rates, with 59.63% of women literate compared to 78.59% of men.
Employment
Women’s participation in the labour force is limited, with only 26% of employed women in paid jobs. Most women in rural areas are engaged in unpaid agricultural or domestic work.
Political Representation
Despite efforts to increase women’s participation in local governance, more than representation at the national level is needed. While 33% of local government seats are reserved for women, their influence in decision-making remains constrained.
Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
GBV is prevalent across Nepal, particularly in rural areas, where cultural norms often prevent women from seeking support. According to UN Women, more than 48% of Nepali women experience violence at least once in their lifetime.
These statistics demonstrate the urgent need for gender equality programs that address education, employment, political participation, and gender-based violence in rural areas.
Program Objectives
ViN’s Gender Equality for Holistic Community Development program aims to reduce gender inequality in rural Nepal by focusing on the following objectives:
Empowerment of women and girls
Provide access to education, vocational training, and income-generating activities that lead to financial independence.
Promote long-term gender equality
Foster community-driven gender equality initiatives that challenge traditional roles and encourage women’s leadership.
Combat gender-based violence
Implement prevention and response mechanisms, offering support to survivors while educating communities about the impact of violence.
Engage men and boys
Encourage men and boys to become advocates for gender equality and to challenge harmful gender norms in their communities.
Key Components of the Gender Equality Program
1 Gender Equality Education and Advocacy
Objective: Raise awareness about gender equality and challenge traditional gender roles.
Activities
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- Conduct gender sensitisation workshops for youth, educators, and local leaders.
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- Develop gender equality curricula for schools.
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- Launch community-led gender advocacy campaigns.
Expected Outcomes
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- Communities adopt more gender-equal norms and practices.
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- Increased participation of women and girls in education and leadership roles.
2 Women’s Leadership Development
Objective: Equip women with the skills to take on leadership roles in their communities and at the national level.
Activities
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- Leadership training focused on decision-making and public speaking.
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- Mentorship programs pair young women with experienced female leaders.
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- Support women candidates running for political office.
Expected Outcomes
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- More women take on leadership roles in local governance and politics.
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- Women become decision-makers in their communities, leading to more inclusive governance.
3 Economic Empowerment through Sustainable Livelihoods
Objective: Provide women with vocational skills and entrepreneurship opportunities for economic independence.
Activities
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- Training in vocational skills such as advanced agriculture, small business management, and handicrafts.
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- Financial literacy workshops and access to microcredit for women-led enterprises.
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- Market access programs connecting women entrepreneurs with local and regional markets.
Expected Outcomes
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- Women in rural Nepal gain economic independence through sustainable livelihoods.
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- Growth in women-led businesses, leading to job creation and community development.
4 Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response
Objective: Reduce gender-based violence and provide support to survivors.
Activities
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- Launch GBV awareness campaigns targeting men and women.
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- Establish safe houses and counseling services for GBV survivors.
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- Train local law enforcement on handling GBV cases.
Expected Outcomes
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- Fewer cases of GBV in target communities.
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- Improved reporting and access to justice for GBV survivors.
5 Engaging Men and Boys in Gender Equality
Objective: Foster positive masculinity and encourage men and boys to become advocates for gender equality.
Activities
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- Workshops for men and boys on gender roles and preventing violence.
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- Formation of male advocacy groups promoting gender equality.
Expected Outcomes
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- Men and boys take an active role in promoting gender equality in their communities.
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- Reduction in harmful gender norms and violence against women.
Long-Term Monitoring and Sustainability
ViN’s Gender Equality for Holistic Community Development program is designed for long-term impact, focusing on community-driven sustainability. The program will be monitored through the following Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
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- Increase in women’s leadership roles in local governance.
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- Growth in women’s income through sustainable livelihood opportunities.
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- Reduction in gender-based violence in target communities.
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- More men and boys were advocating for gender equality in their communities.
ViN’s gender equality project has been structured to build local capacity, ensuring that progress continues long after the program has been implemented.
Conclusion
ViN’s Gender Equality for Holistic Community Development program offers a comprehensive solution to address gender inequality in Nepal. By focusing on education, economic empowerment, leadership development, and the prevention of gender-based violence, the program aims to create long-lasting change for women and marginalised communities.
With over 20 years of experience in Nepal, ViN has the expertise and commitment to make a difference. This gender equality program will help foster a more equitable society, empowering women and girls to achieve their full potential.