Girls Wanna Run! Training Nepal's Generation Next!

Following the successful completion of the intensive Advocacy Week, part of the 8-month long Young Women’s Political Leadership Course (YWPLC), the YWPLC fellows pitched and executed their advocacy projects. There were three groups in total, each provided with a budget of Npr 25,000 for the execution of their respective projects. This report outlines the details, achievements, and challenges of each project.

The first project, titled "Bleed with Pride: Menstrual Hygiene for Women in Prison," aimed to improve menstrual hygiene among female inmates in Nepal's central jail through educational workshops, the making of reusable sanitary pads, and advocacy for better menstrual health policies. Key activities included conducting educational workshops for over 105 inmates and training 85 women in the making of reusable sanitary pads, resulting in the production of approximately 100 reusable pads. Despite budget constraints preventing the installation of disposal mechanisms, the project continues to seek collaborations with local governments to address this issue. 

The second project, "Classroom to Community," aimed to bridge the gap between theoretical civic education and practical civic engagement among students, promoting active citizenship. The two-day program, held on May 29 and 30, included workshops, mock elections, role-playing, and discussions designed to make learning dynamic and impactful. By providing comprehensive voter education and sessions on fundamental rights and civic duties, the project empowered students to participate meaningfully in their communities and the democratic process. High levels of student participation and strong community support, including contributions from educators and guest lecturers, were key to the project's success. 

The third project, "Basic Financial Literacy for Women," aimed to empower middle-aged women with essential financial knowledge and skills, focusing on spending habits, investment strategies, and digital payment literacy. This initiative addressed the gender gap in financial literacy in Nepal, targeting middle-aged women, particularly those who are parents or guardians of public school students. Key activities included educating women on prudent spending habits, introducing investment concepts and strategies, and enhancing digital payment literacy.

After implementing their advocacy projects, the YWPLC fellows presented their findings, challenges, and learnings to the Women LEAD family on June 7, 2024. The 18 fellows from the 2023 cohort have completed almost all the modules of the program over the course of 8 months and are all set to graduate on July 15, 2024, becoming part of the YWPLC alumni network.

Stay tuned to hear more from us!