Empowering Her: Advancing Women’s Economic and Political Leadership (for Climate Resilient Communities)

Project Overview:

Empowering Her project in partnership with OXFAM in Nepal and funded by KOICA is being implemented by NEEDS Nepal across all 19 wards of Bhimdatta Municipality, Kanchanpur. The project focuses on empowering marginalized, vulnerable, and climate change-impacted women, including single women, survivors of gender-based violence, women with disabilities, Dalit and Indigenous women, and those whose livelihoods and well-being are increasingly threatened by climate-induced hazards such as floods, droughts, and changing agricultural patterns. These women often face overlapping risks, limiting their access to essential services, opportunities, and decision-making spaces.
The overall goal of the project is to ensure that women and girls especially those most at risk due to gender, caste, disability, or climate vulnerability live in a safe, dignified, and equitable environment where their voices are heard, their rights are protected, and their resilience is strengthened.

Project Objectives:

The key objectives include improving women’s access to gender-responsive services and protection mechanisms, enhancing their economic resilience through sustainable livelihoods, building their leadership and decision-making capacity, and strengthening community-based and institutional systems to respond effectively to both gender based and climate induced vulnerabilities.

Expected Key Results:

• Establish 20 Women’s Empowerment Committees (WECs), one in each ward of Bheemdatta except 2 WEC in Ward 9.
• Conduct market survey to explore opportunities for women-led enterprises and determine the most in-demand, market-driven vocational training.
• Facilitate community orientation sessions on climate change and adaptation strategies.
• Provide leadership training for selected WEC members, focusing on both women’s leadership and political empowerment.
• Deliver the SIYB (Start and Improve Your Business) curriculum along with financial literacy training.
• Supply farmers with inputs and materials needed for climate-smart agriculture.
• Use the GALS (Gender Action Learning System) methodology in WEC classes.
• Offer a Training of Trainers (ToT) program for selected WEC members on the seven-step planning process.