GIRLS EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM YEAR 5.
When we initiated this program, nothing of this nature had been attempted in this region.
The general consensus in the area was that girls were 2nd class citizens, should be married very young and receive little to no education.
Girls were often deeply suppressed and abused and many forced to spend their monthly period in a hut with animals and no food or human contact due to embedded local belief structures.
The girls would not speak up in public and certainly not to a man.
Fast forward to today and it is a very different story indeed.
The girls are taking on politicians on our weekly national TV and radio show, advocating changes in rules for female rights. They are taking menstrual health education into the villages and teaching girls about sexual health and family planning
They are taking the self defence training they have received into remote areas, with one girl, Asha, on the journey all the way to black belt in kick boxing.
The girls are being supported to follow their chosen career paths and all are now aware of their rights.
This program has changed the lives of thousands of young women in the region.
Last year we took elements of the program nationwide to every municipality reaching girls in deeply underprivileged areas.
The program goes from strength to strength with many girls returning to volunteer and work with our new recruits.
The girls are real pillars of their individual communities, helping families with their small businesses with their numeracy skills and many have even started their own enterprises.
This program has been life changing for not only the thousands of girls but also their communities and the women of Nepal.
GIRLS’ LEARNING CENTRE
The success of our Girls’ Empowerment Program (GEP) has culminated in the need for a centre for girls from all over the country to visit and learn about the work we have been doing. Allowing us to reach many many more young women
On a national scale there is a great deal of support needed for the girls of Nepal, particularly in rural areas. There are thousands of young women in deeply difficult and abusive situations with nowhere to turn.
This centre will be a safe environment for girls to come for help, support, refuge and education about their rights.
This centre will serve as a central hub for our empowerment programs, where meetings can take place, visiting role models can speak, and the girls can share their learning from the GEP with other young women in a safe and secure environment. The centre will provide office space for care professionals and accommodation for any visitors or girls in urgent need.
All of the GEP media; TV shows, radio broadcasts and literature will be available to watch, read and listen to for all members of the community.
Police and legal professionals will be on hand to assist girls in need and take action in their villages if necessary.
This centre will be a huge step forward for not only the girls of the region, but for Nepal as a whole.
Centrally located the building will welcome girls from all surrounding municipalities, spreading knowledge and support to rural areas and above all providing a safe environment for deeply vulnerable young women in need.
This project was selected by an international architectural competition, we were lucky enough to have award winning architects design this building and oversee its construction.
Construction is now underway after a complicated start getting blue prints and designs signed off in Nepal during lock-down. We are however on track to complete on time.
Once completed this project will appear in national and international media further advancing our cause.
CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM - Bihadi Rural Municipality
Malnutrition is a serious problem in Nepal. It is a major threat to the health of infants, adolescent girls and pregnant & lactating mothers.
Malnutrition is the direct result of an inadequate diet and or infection and takes various forms (acute malnutrition, chronic malnutrition or stunting and micro-nutrient deficiencies).
Nutritional anaemia remains a public health issue among women, adolescents and children. Forty-one percent of women of reproductive age and 46% of pregnant women are anaemic. About 68% (National Demographic Health Survey [NDHS], 2016) of children aged 6-23 months are anaemic while the prevalence of that among adolescent women (15-19) has been increased from 38.5% in 2011 to 43.6% in 2016 (NDHS).
It is common practice to give birth at home and and only a small minority of pregnant women visit health centres for delivery. The data also shows that the pneumonia (very common in malnourished children) cases are higher in Bihadi Rural Municipality than any other municipalities of the district; there are 309 cases of pneumonia in children under the age of 5. Acute Respiratory Infection incident cases are also high at 1052 children under the age of 5.
Besides this, the pregnant women are also taking less iron tablets, the data shows only 29% of pregnant women received the tablets and visited Antenatal Care (ANC) clinic 4 times.
Based on the situation of Bihadi Rural Municipality, we initiated a nutrition program for pregnant women and children under age 5 to reduce the child mortality and maternal mortality rate.
This program contributes to increase the health services delivery as well as reduce the malnutrition situation among children.
OBJECTIVES
To reduce protein-energy malnutrition in children under 5 years of age.
To reduce the prevalence of anaemia among adolescent girls, women and children
To reduce the infestation of intestinal worms among children and pregnant women
To promote good dietary habits to improve the nutritional status of all people
To prevent and control infectious diseases to improve nutritional status and reduce child mortality
Primary Target Group:
Children under age 5
Mothers
Pregnant Women
The program had to be adjusted to fit around lockdown rules, but has been successful, full report to follow once all data collated at the end of the program.