WHAT IS WOMEN EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM?

Women Empowerment Program and gender issues are global issues, affecting countries across the world in a variety of ways. Unlike in more economically developed countries, women in Nepal have vastly different roles and opportunities in society compared to continents like Europe and North America. For example, the majority of people in Nepal who cannot read or write are women, they have a much lower life expectancy than men and the majority of women rely on men who their basic needs of housing, food, and economic stability.

WHAT IS THE SITUATION FOR WOMEN IN NEPAL?

• 239 women out of every 10,000 die due to childbirth.
• The employment rate of Nepalese women stands at 80%, far lower than for men.
• Nepalese women in rural areas are more vulnerable than those in urban or semi-urban areas, who typically lack better economic, health, education, and empowerment opportunities.
• Nearly 85% of Nepalese women in employment work in the agricultural sector.
• Almost half of Nepalese women are married before they are 18 years old.
• The general rates of immunization and standards of health and nutrition for Nepalese women remain very poor, particularly in rural areas.

MAJOR ISSUES IN WOMEN’S HEALTH IN NEPAL:

• Shorter life expectancy and high maternal mortality rate.
• Higher infant and child mortality rates and neglect of girls’ health.
• Mental Health issues for women are taboo.
• A lack of adequate health care services and access to contraception.
• Cultural and societal expectations and prejudices towards women’s bodies, virginity sexual activity, and menstruation.

WHY CHOOSE THE WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM?

How to empower women? The Women Empowerment Program is vital for increasing the prosperity and standard of living in local communities, regions, and Nepal as a whole. The Women’s Empowerment Program builds upon the initiatives and work of the Nepalese government and NGOs at a local level, addressing the problems and meeting the needs of communities. This is actually the importance of women empowerment.