Nepali women describe what economic empowerment and climate action means to them

New forms of management, technology, and market development in forests and agriculture present a path toward economic empowerment and climate-resilient development for women in rural Nepal. However, challenges prevent them using their knowledge and skills to generate more sustainable = futures. 

To overcome those challenges, ForestAction Nepal’s action research project, Economic Empowerment of Women through Forest Solutions, aims to enhance women’s economic status through low-carbon enterprises based on forest resources.

The goal is to enable women and marginalised communities to withstand challenges posed by climate change and pandemics such as COVID-19. Indeed, the project has already resulted in the development of entrepreneurial awareness and leadership among women in the Nawalparasi and Sindhupalchok districts. 

These key actions and achievements are captured in this video though the voices of local experts, including rural women involved in the project. In it, they describe the intensive training, capacity building, and collaborations with government and non-government stakeholders made possible through the project. 

Beyond these achievements, the rural women in the video also describe how participation has profoundly boosted their confidence, and so empowered them to contribute to the economic prosperity of their families and communities.

Among those who are featured in the video, in order of appearance, are: 

• Laxmi Karki, Member, Namuna Thakal Enterprise Group (01:07)
• Dr Srijana Baral, Project Manager, ForestAction Nepal (02:04)
• Dr Bishnu Prasad Sharma, Tribhuvan University (03:01)
• Kamal Bhandari, Field Coordinator, ForestAction Nepal (04:19)
• Dr Badri Bastakoti, Consultant, Nepal Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MolCS) (06:19)
• Tilisara Nepali, Manager, Amarjyoti Duna Tapari (leaf plates/bowls) production group (07:55)
• Kanchan Lama, Principal Investigator, ForestAction Nepal (08:44)
• Mishri Bishwokarma, Member, Hariyali sisnoo (nettle) and food processing group (09:42)
• Parwata Tiwari, Deputy Mayor, Devchuli Municipality (10:06)
• Asmi Gurung, Chairperson, Herbal/Trifala production group (10:32)