WACN was established in 1991 and is run entirely by women. WACN's programmes enable women to participate in the decision-making process of the family and to join all levels of development activities. WACN's activities are geared toward realizing our vision of creating a just and equal society by reawakening women's inherent power. Central to this mission is the belief that, if given the opportunity, women can become confident and competent leaders, overcoming the myriad obstacles they face in their daily lives. As local women become involved in development projects they begin to gain a voice within their families and communities.

WACN's objective is to improve the socio-economic status and self-development capacity of disadvantaged people, especially women. This is accomplished primarily through women’s savings and credit co-operatives that provide women with the opportunity to work together, and to run a “formal” financial organization. The women’s savings and access to loans often provides them with a greater voice in family decision-making. WACN reinforces the lessons learned through the co-operative activities with training on a variety of issues of interest to women, from income generation skills to health and gender relations.

In Kavre, the district where our organization began its development efforts, we provide sustainable agriculture training and support. The farmers in our program, men and women, are learning ways to make their traditional farming practices more effective, and protecting their land by limiting the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. These farmers have opened their own shop to sell their produce in Banepa, the local municipality.

WACN advocates the elimination of all forms of discrimination, violence, and trafficking of women and girls through action programs in order to ensure the rights of women.

Background

Nari Chetana Kendra Nepal (WACN) began implementing community-based development programs in 1991. Together with villagers in Kavre, Chitwan, Sindhupalchowk, Makwanpur and Kathmandu WACN has evaluated local needs and designed programs tailored to meet these needs. Nari Chetana Kendra is able to provide training in community development on a variety of women's issues. Through community-based development programs, we are working to create employment opportunities for women. WACN enables the women to participate in the decision making process within the family and at all levels of development activities. Through self-development and social action, many women have become partners in the process of change. In this way, WACN's activities are geared to realize its vision of creating a just and equal society by reawakening women's inherent power. WACN advocates the elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence in order to ensure the rights of women.

Vision

WACN share in the vision of a just family and a just society where women and men have equal status in all aspects of their lives. WACN envisions a society where women take a leading role in their communities and there is no gender discrimination. All decision-making responsibilities will be shared equally by women and men at all levels.

Mission

Broad-based empowerment of Nepalese women and children, especially those from disadvantaged groups.

Objectives

• To empower women and work toward the elimination of poverty through informal savings and credit activities and formal co-operatives.

• To initiate programs ensuring the rights of women.

• To help men and women work together in a mutually supportive and mutually respectful environment.

• To develop self-reliance skills in male and female farmers via the promotion of sustainable agriculture.

Strategies

The main strategy of WACN is alternative education, alternative because not only do knowledge and skills need to be acquired, but the process of learning implies a change of attitude and the creation of a new identity, both personally and collectively. Alternative education involves life experience and takes the feelings seriously. It builds on the inherent strengths of the community.

Programmes

• Community-Based Development Program (CBDP)

• Women's Savings and Credit Co-operatives

• Sustainable Agriculture

• Community Centers

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Networking & Advocacy

WACN is involved in advocacy activities at local, national and international levels. After becoming aware of their own power, women from the project areas have begun performing advocacy work themselves. These women have lobbied for funds from local governments to run projects in their own communities addressing issues of violence against women. WACN has worked with many other women’s NGOs to demonstrate for women’s rights, specifically women’s property rights, and against violence against women. WACN is also a member of different networks voicing and advocating for women's rights, women's empowerment along with their equality and equity.

Publications

In order to share the situation of Nepali women with all, Nari Chetana Kendra has published five books and multiple documents on women's issues. These publications help
women to understand their own contribution, capacity and power to rise. The proceeds of book sales help to fund WACN's programs.

WACN publishes Nari Chetana Lekhmala, a document featuring women’s efforts, every four months. This is distributed to the press and other organizations to promote the successes and challenges related to women’s issues. We also contribute articles directly to the newspapers.

Coverage

Our programs cover 16 VDCs and three municipalities in Kavre, two VDCs each in Sindhupalchowk and Chitwan, and one in Makwanpur. Under our supervision, women have also established one co-operative in Kathmandu. About 15,000 women are directly involved in saving and credit and co-operative activities. Overall, WACN's Programs have reached a population of about 200,000. 

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Three Stakeholder Meetings

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CAT (Committee Against Trafficking) Members (NEPAL)