Women Empowerment Project (WEP)

The project was financially supported by BOTHAR, Ireland, and was implemented in Nirmalpokhari, Valam, Lamachaur, Armala and Lekhnath of Kaski district from 2004 to 2005, with the objective of increasing women’s participation in improved livestock management practices to enhance their livelihood status. Formation and mobilization of women groups, production and mobilization of VAHWs, training and extension, local capacity building, breed improvement, promotion of improved husbandry practices, networking and coordination among communities and institutions were the key components of the project.

Key Interventions and Impact:

1. Fourteen women groups, comprising 360 farming households, were formed, registered and mobilized.
2. A welfare fund was created to support the communities during times of dire need and emergencies.
3. Production and mobilization of 12 VAHWs to ensure accessible and quality animal healthcare services in the communities
4. Considerable improvement in knowledge, skills and practices of the women farmers in improved animal health, management and husbandry practices
5. Recognition by local government bodies and inclusion in plans and priorities
6. Enhanced networking and linkage among communities and local institutions
7. Adoption of commercial livestock enterprises; scaling up of their livestock enterprise, initiation of livestock-related businesses and continued willingness to improve.