Women’s Economic Empowerment
Women’s economic empowerment is central to realizing women’s rights and gender equality. NMWWS works for sustainable and profitable means and access to livelihoods for marginalized Muslim women. We provide opportunities to gain or enhance skills through skill-based training. We work to link trained girls and young women with government-supported business development services, local cooperatives, and business enterprises for financial support and market management. NMWWS works for economic empowerment, promoting the economic independence of poor and marginalized women. NMWWS empowers women to build better livelihoods and create businesses that provide jobs and boost their living standards.
Since 2015, our initiatives have focused on empowering marginalized and vulnerable women, particularly from the Muslim community, to achieve economic self-sufficiency and social inclusion. Through a series of targeted projects, we have provided essential training, created sustainable livelihoods, and fostered leadership among women who have been traditionally excluded from mainstream opportunities.
Establishing Micro-Enterprises for Economic Independence (2015)
In 2015, we launched a project aimed at establishing a self-sufficient tika/bindi and Nepali fabric shoe-making micro-enterprise. This initiative was specifically designed to increase the income of poor and marginalized Muslim women, enabling them to become economically independent. The project was a significant step towards helping these women build a sustainable source of income, allowing them to support themselves and their families.
Women for Change & Development (2016)
Our commitment to the economic empowerment of marginalized women continued in 2016 with the “Women for Change & Development” project. Under this initiative, 30 marginalized Muslim women were trained in organic farming, leading them to engage in commercial organic vegetable farming. Additionally, 30 women received bangle-making training, allowing them to start their local enterprises. These 60 women were linked to local cooperatives and savings and credit groups, providing them with the necessary institutional financial support to promote and sustain their enterprises.
Resilience in the Face of COVID-19 (2020)
The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges, particularly for marginalized communities. In response, we launched the “Kaagapay Fund to Support Feminist Resilience” program, which empowered 150 women and girls economically and psychologically. Through this program, we provided training on home-based tika/bindi making to 10 women, enabling them to earn a daily income even during the lockdown. This initiative directly benefited 150 individuals and indirectly supported 881 others, helping them recover from the financial and food crises caused by the pandemic.
Building Organizational Capacity for Sustainable Impact (2018)
Recognizing the importance of sustainability, we have also invested in capacity building for both individuals and organizations. In 2018, we conducted skill development training for marginalized women and strengthened our organizational capacity to ensure the long-term impact of our initiatives. This focus on sustainability ensures that the progress we make today will continue to benefit communities for years to come.
Our journey of empowering marginalized women is ongoing, and we remain committed to creating opportunities for economic independence, fostering leadership, and advocating for gender equality. Through our diverse range of projects, we continue to support women in overcoming barriers and achieving their full potential in society.