Testimonies Of Stakeholders_Hamro Sahakarya Project
Sher Bahadur Mahara, Ward Chairperson,
Dhangadhi Sub-Metro Politan Ward no.12, Jugeda, Kailali
FEDO and JuRI-Nepal have supported various activities in the community. I have participated in several initiatives, including income-generation activities and livelihood support for marginalized women. The support included providing various materials for tailoring, animal husbandry, agriculture and grocery-based enterprises.
Reaching to the most vulnerable community in Municipality and sensitizing on Gender and domestic violence
and available referral mechanism and services “referral village clinic” approach was one of the best program where as an elected representatives realized the importance of such out-reach program that reached door steps of people and identify their needs and problems. Through the support from Hamro Sahakarya project local government is also being more active and responsible towards addressing issues of GBV, from last two year ward has started allocating budget to support GBV survivors under referral mechanism. A psychosocial counselor has been also deployed at community to support survivors and case management from ward. This year almost 20 GBV survivor cases has been recorded and supported from the ward. The SHGs members and its volunteers have played crucial role on reaching to the survivors door step and bringing them in the referral support mechanism.
It’s amazing to see the community women/SHGs members are empowered to lead various awareness campaigns against harmful and discriminatory social norms like; child marriage, GBV and domestic violence, menstrual restrictions and chhaupadi, caste based discrimination and untouchability. Adarsha SHG lead the campaign to end chhaupadi practices, in collaboration of ward office and local police we jointly demolished 12 menstrual huts from this community and ward allocated NPR. 100,000 budget for safety and life skills training to women’s and girls. Such programs needs to be extended in other villages and community too for a greater change.
Durga Bahadur Pun Magar, Ward Chairperson
Bhajani Municipality-02, Bhajani, Kailali
I have been witnessing changes in the perceptions and behaviors of women in my community due to Didibahini SHG ongoing campaign of addressing harmful and discriminatory social norms. The SHG members have ended up 
chhaupadi and menstruation restriction practices, child marriage and discrimination between son and daughter from their own family. They speak up against domestic violence at their home and in the community. The women who hesitate to introduce themselve, limited to their household now comes to visit me, ask for support and collaborations. They are aware of their rights and responsibilities and trying to make their own identify.
I got opportunity to participate in various event organized by FEDO and SHG. What touched me most is they have learnt to put their views and ideas openly, they work collectively not only in the campaign but also in income generating activities and motivates other women and community people for the change. The Didibahini SHG has become a model community group.
As an elected representative, I and my team are also supporting this group regularly. We visit the group and observe
their ongoing business. Last year ward have also provided NPR. 50,000 to support their collective business (duna tapari production) which will be continue in upcoming days too.
I have also learnt that small support can encourage women’s and marginalized community to go far beyond. Ward and LGU should prioritized such programs, trust on the engagement and leadership of women and girls. The achievements of Didibahini SHG is our achievements and it’s just a starting point, we have to reach similar community in the ward. Such program should be expand in other villages and community too. Ward is ready to cooperate and collaborate.
Surendra Tamrakar, Youth Changemaker,
Member of Men & Boys Group from Dhangadi -7, Kailali
I was a member of Men and Boys Group in Dhangadi, Ward -7 of Kailali under Hamro Sahakarya Project. I got opportunities to participate in the training sessions of gender transformative dialogues targeted to men and boys. That training was eye opening to me, where I relate my own perceptions and belief system. The gender norms, masculinity behaviors of men’s were never reflected and questioned in any platforms. After these session, I committed to change myself, end the domination as a men in my own family with my mother, wife and sisters. I decided not to stop myself here but volunteer under project as a change maker. As a local artist, I lead the preparation and direction of street drama where harmful and discriminatory social norms like; child marriage, domestic violence, caste based discriminations issues were raised and motivated community people to take action against it within their home and community.
When, I started this journey I not only gain income and my own identity, respect and love from the audience but also the inner satisfactions. I became more sensitive and responsible towards gender issues and human rights principles, a good human and youth for change. I and my team are invited by various organization, local governments and also the UN agencies. I feel proud who I am today.
Dinesh Khatri, Ward Chairperson
Birendranagar Municipality -01, Aapdali
Hamro Sahakarya Project has empowered dalit women in my community. The women’s from the community are brought in a SHGs where they learn together. The group volunteers are well trained that they facilitate gender transformative training manuals. The group participants have enhanced their understandings on gender norms and women rights. They have also enhanced their leadership skills. Now they are confident to visit ward office and ask about budget, services and programs. The SHG collectively identify various community issues and develop awareness campaign and is facilitating such campaigns on their own leadership.
In collaboration with FEDO and other service providers we have organized referral village clinic where we reach vulnerable community of our ward and oriented them about gender and domestic violence and services available for referral support, whom to reach and how. SHG is working as a watchdog in community to address domestic violence cases. Now, women and survivors reach them and ask their help.
FEDO and JuRI Nepal have closely work with local government, we were engaged in the process of participants’ selection, in-kind and livelihood support distributions, monitoring of the SHG reflect classes and SHG initiatives. I have also participated in project advisory meeting and suggested for the continuation of this program and adding more community people in such program. Ward have limited budget we can’t support like project. We always welcome development organization to work with us.
Dhansara Bohora, Deputy Mayor,
Bheriganga Municipality, Surkhet
On behalf of Bheriganga Municipality, Surkhet, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to FEDO and JuRI-Nepal for their long-standing and impactful work in our community underThe Hamro Sahakarya Project, these organizations have actively engaged in two wards of LGU, formation, mobilization and capacity development of two women’s Self- Help Groups of marginalized women.
The project initiatives in providing livelihood and reskilling support, comprehensive in-kind support, reflect classes for behavior change and local advocacy has transform the lives of project participants. I have witnessed the changes in the life of those women. They have become confident, aware on the issues of gender equality and inclusion, and have become a community leader/change maker. At household level they have ended discrimination between son and daughter, child marriage and at community level they are collectively addressing harmful social norms like; domestic violence, child marriage, caste based discrimination and menstruation taboos.
FEDO has closely work with local government, engaging in the process of various program initiatives. The collaboration and cooperative efforts has created ownership of the local government.
The project activities has also strengthen local government mechanism and service delivery. The LGU referral committee is actively working to ensure access to referral mechanism for GBV survivors. LGU budget for GBV fund mobilization, capacity development of referral committees and implementation of GESI policies have been prioritized. people’s lives.
We highly value the contribution of Hamro Sahakarya Project in LGU. I also commit to support SHGs in their upcoming action plan as both groups are now registered in the LGU. I am hopeful they will sustain even after the project is over.