Women’s Leadership and Political Participation
In Nepal, women’s representation in politics remains significantly lower than that of men, with marginalized groups like Muslims, Dalits, and Madheshis facing even greater challenges. Despite the constitutional mandate for 33% female participation in parliament since 2017, true influence in decision-making is still limited, particularly for women from remote and rural areas.
The Nepal Muslim Women Welfare Society (NMWWS) has been a vital force in changing this narrative. Actively involved in drafting Nepal’s constitution, NMWWS advocated for the inclusion of marginalized voices, particularly Muslim women, in the nation’s governance structures. Beyond constitutional efforts, the organization has worked to empower marginalized women through leadership training and awareness programs, emphasizing their constitutional rights and the importance of their participation in governance.
NMWWS continues to push for a more inclusive and equitable Nepal, ensuring that the voices of all citizens, especially those most often unheard, are represented in the nation’s political and governance processes.
Over the past decade, our organization has dedicated itself to empowering marginalized and vulnerable women, with a special focus on Muslim women, to achieve economic independence, social inclusion, and political participation. Our journey has been marked by a series of impactful projects that address economic challenges, legal rights, and leadership development. Here’s a comprehensive look at our major initiatives by year:
2011/12: Enabling Muslim Women’s Access to Mainstream Politics
Our efforts began with a project aimed at increasing Muslim women’s access to decision-making levels. Through awareness campaigns, training, and local dialogues, we worked to enhance their inclusion in political and public spheres. This initiative laid the groundwork for future programs by fostering greater participation of Muslim women in governance and community decision-making processes.
2012: Gender Equality Campaign: Women’s Participation in Decision-Making
In 2012, we launched the “Gender Equality Campaign,” focusing on forming and capacitating Ward Level Community Women Advocacy Groups (CMAGs) in nine wards of Alou VDC. This project aimed to promote women’s participation in public and political bodies, ensuring their voices were heard and their contributions valued at the decision-making level.
2012/13: Empowering Muslim Women for Inclusive Democratic Reform
This project focused on enhancing the political participation of Muslim women by institutionalizing women’s groups at various levels (community, VDC, and district). We provided training on leadership, advocacy, gender equity, inclusive democracy, and good governance, equipping women with the skills needed for effective political and community engagement.
2014: Breaking Barriers: Capacitating Marginalized Muslim Women
The “Breaking the Barriers” project empowered marginalized Muslim women by improving their awareness of human rights and the democratic reform process. We formed six Village Level Muslim Women Alliances (VMWAs) and trained 30 women in leadership and advocacy. The project included local public dialogues to promote inclusive governance and democratic reform.
2016: Awareness of Women’s Legal Rights and Family Planning Manual Development
In 2016, we increased awareness among Muslim women in Kathmandu Valley about their legal rights under Nepal’s new constitution and Islamic principles. Additionally, we translated and localized a family planning manual developed by Indonesia’s National Family Planning Coordinating Board (BKKBN) and conducted dissemination workshops in various districts.
2018: Enhancing Capacities and Combating Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
- Enhancing Capacities: We formed Muslim women’s groups and provided training on human rights, leadership, advocacy skills, good governance, and gender auditing.
- Combating Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: We conducted training on leadership, advocacy, and legal literacy, along with local dialogues and orientations on SGBV issues. This aimed to promote collective initiatives and address harmful socio-cultural norms.
Our decade-long commitment to empowering marginalized women has resulted in substantial progress in economic self-sufficiency, social inclusion, and political participation. Through targeted projects and community engagement, we continue to make strides in fostering a more equitable and inclusive society.