Creative didibahini organization nepal

Single & Widowed Mothers Project

Fostering dignified livelihoods and supporting
children’s education.

Supported by Friends of Nepal-Australia, Rotary Clubs
of Scarborough and Dalkeith, WA

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Objectives

Single and widowed mothers in Nepal face many problems stemming from widespread social discrimination. Emotional struggles, social isolation and financial stress lead to a high risk of mental health issues, parenting challenges, and school dropout of their children. Both mothers and children are at risk of sexual exploitation.

This program targets single and widowed mothers living in poverty and belonging to socially excluded communities in Ganeshmancharnath municipality of Madhesh Province (Province 2).  Province 2 has the lowest school attendance in Nepal and a high level of gender discrimination.

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Solution

Based on each woman’s preferences and skills, we provide participants with a grant of NPR 35,000 to start a very small business, e.g., tea shop, vegetable shop, street food stall, cottage industry or small agricultural enterprise. Women are linked to a local women’s savings and credit cooperative and receive financial management support.

A counsellor, with supervision from a psychologist, meets with participants monthly to provide counselling for trauma and stress management. The women are guided on strategies to improve their mental health and self-care.

Women are supported in the program for one year at a total program cost of AU$1,000 per participant.

Sustainable benefits

Livelihoods for dignified lives

Income from a small enterprise sufficient to meet family’s basic needs (food, shelter and children’s education) ensuring family’s livelihood and children’s future.

Mental health and well-being

Counselling for mothers to tackle the challenges of poverty and discrimination - improved mental health, self-care and capacity for parenting.

Education

Reduced financial stress means children more likely to stay in school to year 10; counselling reinforces the capacities of mothers to protect their children at risk of early school dropout