High Level Field Mission In Surkhet, Karnali
The joint field mission of His Excellency Petri Puhakka, Ambassador of Finland to Nepal, Sara Alanen, Head of Cooperation, & Kamana Gurung, Coordinator Embassy of Finland to Nepal, Patricia Fernandez- Pacheco, Country Representative of UN Women along with JuRI Nepal and FEDO team members visited Srijanalaya self-help group and local government of Lekhbesi Municipality in Surkhet district of Karnali Province on 3rd November 2025. The mission team interacted and reflected on the key achievements and change stories derived from the intervention of “Hamro Sahakarya” project under storytelling initiatives. The visit highlighted how SHG has become a safe platform to enhance critical awareness and leadership skills to challenge harmful and discriminatory social norms at individual, family and community level. Moreover it also emphasized on the importance of collective leadership and economic independence of women’s and marginalized groups for change.
During the interaction representatives from local governments also shared their close engagement and support towards project initiatives. They appreciated the learning approaches of SHG on reflect classes, commitment toward advancing gender equality. The SHG has become a role model/ an innovative community mobilization approach for addressing discriminatory and harmful social norms and empowering women to take leadership roles within their community structures.
