Empowering Indigenous Women for Climate Change in Nepal
2025-01-13
SALASAN Nepal, in partnership with the National Indigenous Women Forum (NIWF), is spearheading the Climate Action for Indigenous Women in Nepal (CLAN) pilot project. This transformative initiative, running from 2024 to 2026, targets two mid-hill districts of Nepal—Kavreplanchok and Sindhupalchok. The project aims to address the unique challenges faced by Indigenous women as they confront the escalating impacts of climate change in their daily lives. The primary goal of CLAN is to empower Indigenous women by equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to adapt to and mitigate climate change effects within their communities. By focusing on 50 Indigenous women leaders and 750 members of 25 community groups, the project seeks to amplify their voices in climate-related decision-making processes. It also emphasizes gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) to ensure holistic representation and resilience within Indigenous communities.
To achieve these objectives, SALASAN Nepal and NIWF are conducting a comprehensive training program titled "Community Climate Action Plan Assessment and Proposal Writing Training" from January 6 to January 21, 2025. This training is designed to empower 50 women climate leaders from the targeted districts by enhancing their abilities to identify, assess, and address climate-related challenges. Participants will engage in interactive sessions to develop practical, sustainable climate action plans tailored to their local contexts. Additionally, the program will build their capacity in proposal writing, enabling them to secure resources for implementing community-driven climate initiatives both during the project and beyond. This training program is more than a standalone activity—it represents a critical step toward fostering long-term resilience and self-reliance among Indigenous women. By equipping these women with essential skills, the CLAN project aims to create a ripple effect. Trained leaders will act as catalysts for change, inspiring others in their communities to adopt climate-smart practices. Ultimately, the initiative seeks to advance climate justice and sustainability, placing Indigenous women at the forefront of developing solutions to the climate crises affecting their lives and livelihoods.
Participants Insights:
"Before this project, we had no understanding that climate change was the root cause of so many challenges, such as reduced rainfall, prolonged droughts, the spread of invasive weeds, forest fires, and the increasing distances we must travel to collect fodder, firewood, and drinking water. These struggles were part of our daily lives, but we never connected them to the broader issue of climate change.
Through this project, I have gained a deeper awareness of how climate change affects the environment and the livelihoods and well-being of Indigenous women. I now recognize the hardships we endure—from resource loss to additional physical and emotional burdens—and the urgent need for action to address these issues in our communities."
Ms. Sunita Lama (Tamang), Chairperson, Aala Timreni Jalvayu Parivartan Aadivasi Janajati Mahila Samuha, Chaurideurali Ward No. 9, Kavreplanchok District
"Before participating in the CLAN project, I was unaware that climate change was the root cause of the challenges we faced in agriculture. Through this initiative, I gained valuable insights into climate change and its far-reaching impacts on our environment and livelihoods. The training has been incredibly informative, helping me understand the connections between climate change and our daily struggles.
Since the devastating floods in September 2024, we have realized the importance of planting trees to mitigate such disasters. As a group, we are now committed to conserving the environment by planting multipurpose trees that not only address environmental challenges but also provide tangible benefits, contributing to a more resilient and sustainable community."
Ms. Urmila Tamang, Chairperson, Gothpani Jalvayu Parivartan Mahila Samuha, Chaurideurali Ward No. 8, Kavreplanchok District
