Submission of Attention Letter to ten local governments unit in the Sudurpachhim and Karnali Provinces; demanding inclusive and meaningful participation of Women, Dalits and Marginalized Groups in seven steps planning process of local governments.
The twenty Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under Hamro Sahakarya Project submitted attention letters to ten local governments in the month of April 2025 that emphasize the need to ensure inclusive participation of Women, Dalits and other marginalized groups in the seven steps planning process of local governments. The attention letter also demanded to address their needs and prioritize their issues and agendas in the upcoming FY 2082/083 budget and programs.
The submission was led by Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in their respective wards and LGUs. During the submission SHGs members, community leaders and representatives from FEDO district board participated. Altogether 29 submission visits were conducted; ten in municipality offices and nineteen in ward offices. In municipality, the attention letter was given to Deputy Mayors/Deputy Chairpersons of LGUs who holds the position of Coordinator for the Budget and programme formulation committee. Likewise at wards the attention letter was handed to ward chairperson. This submission was facilitated by all 20 SHGs as a part of local advocacy, implementing Community Action Plans (CAPs).
All together 251 people (Dalit:163, Janjati:28, BCT:60) participated during the submissions of which 208 were women and 43 were men. Among them it includes 215 SHGs members, 9 FEDO district team members, 22 elected representatives, 3 government officials and 2 from CSOs.
During submission local government representatives admired the efforts of self-help groups and express their commitments to ensure meaningful participation of women and marginalized groups in the planning process that will prioritize their needs and address community issues in upcoming budget and programs.
“I am so happy today, it’s already three years of my tenure as a Deputy Mayor. I haven’t found any women and marginalized group reached me demanding to ensure meaningful participation of women and marginalized community in the local level planning process. I always focus that development should be in partnership with people, address their needs and priorities. Now, SHG can raise their voices collectively, they are empowered, they have enhanced their coordination, communication and negotiation skills. I request them to draft a detail proposal for income generation and livelihood development and submit to respective ward office and also provide me a copy, I will try to include those agenda in upcoming budget and program.” – said Kandakala Rana, Deputy Mayor, Dhangadi Sub-Metropolitian City.
“Thank you for visiting the ward and highlighting the importance of inclusive participation in budgeting and planning process. We have been proactive in the past and will continue our efforts based on your valuable suggestions. There are challenges like limited resources and the perceptions of people believing development means only infrastructures. I have visited SHG in Jhupra/Badi community they have become very confident, resilient and working collectively for change. I have committed to support Badi community in their prioritized need in upcoming Fiscal year.” said Khimlal Devkota, Ward Chairperson, Birendranagar Municipality
“This is right time to reach us as we are in the process of planning and budgeting. I kindly request women and marginalized groups to remain in touch with us and participate in tole planning meeting, put their plan and issues so we can incorporate it on ward plan and move ahead for budget allocations. I commit to include such program and plan from the women’s group.” – said Mahendra K.C. Acting Ward Chairperson, Dipayalsilgadi ward no 5.
Didi- Bahini SHG and Mahunyal SHG members are empowered and working collectively in community issues. They have become ideal groups in the municipality, other’s groups must learn from them. This time is very crucial to submit the proposal and plan of marginalized community groups for upcoming planning and budgeting. This attention letter has make me more responsible towards gender equality agendas. I will coordinate with ward chair and request them to ensure meaningful participation of women and marginalized groups in tole and ward meetings, put their agendas and priorities in ward program and plan committed Raju Tiruwa, Deputy Mayor, Bhajani Municipality, Kailali
The submission was guided by Nepal’s legal and Constitutional frameworks mandates that adhere the principles of participatory planning and budgeting from bottom down approach. The Constitution of Nepal (2015), Local Government Operation Act (LGOA, 2017), and Intergovernmental Fiscal Management Act (IGFMA, 2017) serve as the primary legal frameworks guiding local government planning in federal Nepal. These are further supplemented by guidelines from the National Planning Commission and the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration (MoFAGA). The Seven-Step Planning Process, designed to be inclusive and participatory, ensures the involvement of diverse societal groups, including marginalized communities, women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
Along with the submission of attention letters, the project also developed an informative and communication product: flyer of seven steps planning process to educate and inform SHGs, community people, local elected representatives about the planning process and importance of participatory planning, engagement of women and marginalized groups. Prior to these submission all 20 SHGs were sensitized through the help of flyer about the seven steps planning process focusing on why it is important to them, where to participate and put their agendas for program and budget allocation for their empowerment. Similarly the engagement of women and marginalized group is also important to sustain the local development creating their ownership and overall growth. Such initiatives not only advocates to ensure the rights of marginalized communities but also connect elected representatives with the people needs.
Media Coverage
Pictures of the Submission Visits in project LGUs
