Project Background : 

Based on past experiences of FRL-Sarbodaya in Jumla, Sarbodaya Nepal Jumla has developed this project proposal. FRL and Sarbodaya Nepal Jumla have been implementing "Women Empowerment and Livelihood Improvement" project (WELI-Phase 1 to 3) and "Gender Equality and Women Farmers Support" (GESI) program in Jumla since 2013. 

Jumla represents one of the least developed and food insecure mountain districts in Nepal. In many rural municipalities, such as Tila, Tatopani, and Gothichaur, the social, economic, and political condition of women is not good. Women work more than men and are responsible for most income-generating agricultural activities while contributing 80% of domestic work.

Due to the load of work and lack of balanced diet, women have been suffering from different diseases; such as uterus prolapse, problems linked to reproductive system, and asthma. Women get married at very young age and have problems during childbirth, thus worsening the infant mortality rate and their feeble health condition. They don't have access to resources and money, and their opinions about major issues (e.g. child schooling, money investment) are not taken into consideration at the household and community level. Even if they generate income through farming (crops, legumes, vegetables, and livestock), it is men who use and manage the money women make.

The project aims to engage, train, and motivate women to uplift their social, economic, and political status. It intends to improve their health, enhance their participation in the decision-making process and money management, and ensure equal rights. It will provide training on gender equity and social inclusion to empower women, with the continuous support of the social mobilizers.

This project will be implemented in new wards in the three mentioned rural municipalities (ward n.1-2 in Gothichaur, ward n.7-8 in Tatopani, and ward n.4-8 in Tila) to support new female groups and new beneficiaries who have never been assisted by Sarbodaya Nepal Jumla. With this strategy, it will be possible to expand the action of Sarbodaya Nepal Jumla in the Jumla district, reach different local communities and contribute to their empowerment process.

Main goal: to improve the social, economic, and political condition of women in Jumla district in order to reduce gender inequality and empower women through improving their livelihoods, food security, and nutrition.

Project objectives:

• To improve the livelihood of women farmers in selected wards in the rural municipalities of Tila, Tatopani, and Gothichuar through the promotion of kitchen gardens and improved agricultural production technologies;
• To enhance women farmer income generation through commercialization of their products;
• To improve women's health condition, with specific attention to reproductive and menstrual health, by conducting campaigns and providing treatment services;
• To enhance women's capacity to participate in the household's social activities decision-making process.
• To capacity building of girl club on traditional practice and quality education.