An Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵDEF project in Nepal works to strengthen gender-responsive local governance, with a focus on the rights of marginalized and indigenous women in the Icchakmana and Kalika municipalities of Chitwan. The initiative encourages women to assume decision-making positions in local government, which in turn helps engage other women in the community to lead advocacy campaigns for Chepang women¡¯s leadership and participation. During November and December 2021, the project engaged over 5000 members of the Chepang community in the annual international campaign 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, addressing root causes such as child marriage, polygamy, gambling, and substance abuse. The campaign included a radio series of 65 episodes, and was covered in the local news.
The project also indentified male role models to provide a supportive environment for women leadership. The participants were sensitized on gender equality, local planning processes and gender responsive budgets. They were then active in advocacy for Chepang women¡¯s participation in local planning processes and budget allocation.
Implemented by the Development Exchange Center of Nepal, the initiative builds on a previous project by the same organization. The project¡¯s efforts will be replicated by other municipalities in the future.