Empowering marginalized women in Nepal
An UNDEF project in Nepal is empowering marginalized women of the Musahar community to strengthen their representation in local decision-making procedures and promote gender responsive local governance in four municipalities. Through training, the creation of community groups and sensitization of local officials, the project is stimulating collaboration between the community, broader civil society and the media. Implemented by South Asia Partnership Nepal, it is also engaging community leaders and members to transform social norms that impede women鈥檚 empowerment and participation. UNDEF Senior Programme Officer, Mikiko Sawanishi, visited four target municipalities in May 2022, and observed the project鈥檚 positive impact on Musahar women and their communities. One participant highlighted the impact the project has had on her, 鈥淭hanks to the project, now I am confident to speak up. I joined a local women鈥檚 group and we negotiated collectively with local authorities to obtain the legal documentation that we needed to send our children to school. Through our involvement in the women鈥檚 group some of us are even running in the upcoming local elections!鈥�
