Most women in Nepal have little say in developing local policies, even though their health – and lives – are often at stake. Nepal is one of the world’s poorest countries, and women bear the brunt. They suffer from malnutrition, ill-health, maternal morbidity, and illiteracy. The pressures are greatest on women from minorities or lower castes (Dalit).

One of the organizations trying to combat these worrying trends is the Nepal Social Development and People’s Empowerment Center (NESPEC), a partner of the Advocacy Project that is headquartered in Gaighat, Eastern Nepal, in the district of Udayapur. 

NESPEC has shown great initiative in mobilizing communities around human rights. It recently helped 450 children to attend a mass rally on the occasion of Universal Children’s Day (November 20, 2007) and demand their right to education. They then presented school supplies and school uniforms to 40 of the neediest children in the region. Then on International Human Rights’ Day (December 8, 2007) they mobilized over 200 participants and held a public hearing to help raise awareness about the situation of the landless in their district. 

Nicole Farkouh (Berkeley University) served as a Peace Fellow with NESPEC in the summer and fall of 2007 and also blogged about much of NESPEC’s work. 

The members, staff and volunteers of NESPEC are seeking funds for a new and innovative training program to enhance the leadership and decision making abilities of 75 local women from poor and marginalized backgrounds. The 6-month leadership capacity building and support program will be launched at three different levels and will significantly increase the participation of local women in key decision making bodies:

The three levels of the program are:
* Neighborhood level. This effort will help 25 women currently involved in community activities, such as cooperatives and microcredit to develop their leadership skills and work to participate in and lead local committees. Cost: 1,600 rupees ($22.5) per beneficiary. Target - $550
* Village level. This effort will train 25 women in participating in local government through the Village Development Committees (VDCs) in the district. Cost: 2,400 rupees ($34) per beneficiary. Target - $850
* District level. This effort will train 25 women to participate in activities connected to the district government of Udayapur. Cost: 4,400 rupees ($70). Target - $ 1,750  

Please help NESPEC to launch this important program! 
NESPEC will post more information on proposed beneficiaries and the activities, once they are developed. Updates will be provided on this page, and on the Advocacy Project website, where NESPEC will shortly have a page. For more information, please email nespec_udayapur@yahoo.com or Nicole Farkouh: nfarkouh@advocacynet.org.