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LESSON

Lesson Learned: Enhancing Political Participation of Marginalised Women in Nepal

Since top-down government approaches have failed to address social exclusion and effective participation of marginalized women, the project combined a top-down strategy within a bottom-up approach. Planned activities were supported by strong top-down mechanisms and implementing partners were firmly rooted in a bottom-up approach, with the direct participation of the target audience. The adoption of the community organization pyramid, which involved monitoring of all activities by resource persons appointed by beneficiaries, consolidated the networks step by step. Stakeholders were able to collaborate at the local level while remaining connected to Kathmandu.
Project Partner
Association of District Development Committees of Nepal
Project Description
The project organized women into informal Women's Democracy Forums to build a culture of collaboration between marginalized women from different social backgrounds in five Nepalese districts. It intended to give women a voice at the district and village level by providing information, education, and communication materials and offering training courses on women's rights. Project activities combined traditional and alternative means of communication, such as street theater. This oral mode of education was adapted to the needs of remote communities. The project's visibility was also enhanced by the production of weekly radio programs; 72 episodes on the political empowerment of women and democratic processes were produced and broadcast over a six–month period. Local authorities and grassroots resource persons increased their commitment to the political inclusion of women. All of these activities were innovative in these Nepalese districts and were skillfully carried out by the implementing team. All activities were successfully concluded and delivered results over and above expectations.
Evaluation Date
September 2010
Country