Train and Activate Inspired Leaders in Nepal

The Institute of Cultural Affairs in Nepal is continuing its training, community development and outreach to urban and rural areas, using the leadership and human development models of Jean Houston’s Social Artistry. Social Artistry Leadership Skills training was offered in April and June, and is scheduled for September and December as well.

Recently, a major focus has been assisting Nepali women in addressing the historic stigma attached to menstruation:

• In Changunarayan, several projects have been undertaken by the women who have been trained, focusing on entrepreneurship, micro-finance, and other forms of income generation and skill development. One project is the creation of a cooperative for the manufacturing of sanitary pads, and creating a booklet on how to do it that can be used by others.

• ICA Nepal worked with Surakshya Club of Glen Buds School in making their role effective for proper menstruation hygiene managment #letstalkperiods# The members of Surakshya Club worked with the School in making the school toilets girls-friendly. They requested school authority via letter. Now they have sanitary napkins for emergency in the school, dustbins, and water in the toilets. The Surakshya girls are starting up Wall Magazine at their school entitled Let’s Talk Periods. This effort is similar to that reported in The Guardian of 8/28/17, where girls in the eastern village of Sirthauli are breaking down the stigma around menstrual health in their community.

Social Artistry Leadership Skills Training builds a sense of possibility among participants, and is a key component of the grassroots leadership training being conducted throughout the rural areas of Nepal’s regions and in the urban area of Kathmandu.