Projects
CFLI

Empowering Women and Young Girls from Endangered, Marginalized, Highly Marginalized, and Disadvantaged Indigenous Communities in Nepal through Leadership Development and Network Strengthening

The project titled "Empowering Women and Young Girls from Endangered, Marginalized, Highly Marginalized, and Disadvantaged Indigenous Communities in Nepal through Leadership Development and Network Strengthening" made significant strides in enhancing leadership and advocacy skills among Indigenous women and girls across Nepal. A total of 161 individuals, including 114 women and 47 girls from eight distinct Indigenous communities, directly benefited from leadership and advocacy training conducted across eight districts. This initiative aimed to equip participants with the necessary skills to advocate for their rights and lead their communities more effectively.

In addition, 42 members of Focus for Indigenous Girls (FIG), including 31 women and 11 girls, participated in a National Level Exchange program. This gathering provided a unique opportunity for FIG members from different communities to exchange ideas, share experiences, and build stronger networks. Notably, the event included the representation of an Indigenous woman with a disability, highlighting the inclusive nature of the program and its focus on diverse voices within Indigenous communities.

To amplify the stories of Indigenous women leaders, a documentary titled “Struggle for Recognition” (Pahichanko Shangrasha) was produced in Nepali, with English subtitles. The film captures the inspiring narratives of struggle and success of Indigenous women leaders who are contributing across various fields. Complementing the documentary, a publication featuring the stories of 14 Indigenous women leaders was also produced. These stories, which span the journey from the community to the national level, provide valuable insights into the challenges, successes, and lessons learned by these trailblazing women. A total of 500 copies of this publication were printed in both Nepali and English to reach a wider audience.

The project also engaged key stakeholders at the national and local levels. A total of 28 individuals, including representatives from government authorities, national commissions, foundations, parliamentarians, Indigenous Peoples Organizations, and political leaders, were not only made aware of the issues facing endangered and marginalized Indigenous communities but also committed to supporting these communities in addressing their challenges. This multi-stakeholder involvement demonstrates the project's success in building awareness and fostering long-term commitment to Indigenous women's empowerment.

Strengthening the Democratic Participation of Indigenous People, Including Indigenous Women, as Election Observers to Ensure Fair Participation of Indigenous Communities During the Upcoming Federal and Provincial Elections in Nepal

The project titled "Strengthening the Democratic Participation of Indigenous People, Including Indigenous Women, as Election Observers to Ensure Fair Participation of Indigenous Communities During the Upcoming Federal and Provincial Elections in Nepal" was a landmark initiative aimed at promoting inclusive electoral processes. Through this project, 163 individuals were recruited and deployed as election observers, with 158 serving as observers and 5 as monitoring observers. The recruitment process was notably diverse, with 83.44% of the observers coming from Indigenous communities, while the remaining 16.56% represented other marginalized groups, including Dalit, Khas-Arya, Muslim, and Madheshi communities. A significant achievement of the project was the high representation of women, who made up 71.17% of the total observers, with 64.42% of them being Indigenous women. This marked the first time Indigenous women were given the opportunity to participate directly in election observation, a crucial step toward ensuring their voices are included in the democratic process.