..in government! Send support to the trailblazing candidates standing for election in Nepal. 

[link removed] a message of solidarity to the trailblazing women running for election in Nepal
Dear John,

A general election is taking place this Sunday (Nov 20^th) in Nepal. And thanks to some of our partner organisations, a movement of women are running for election to represent their communities.

Womankind has been working with four partners (Sankalpa ([link removed]) , Women for Human Rights (WHR) ([link removed]) , the Feminist Dalit Organisation (FEDO) ([link removed]) and Tewa ([link removed]) ) to support marginalised women (Dalit women, widows, women with disabilities and more) to play a more active role in local politics.

And it’s working! In the 2018 local elections, 7,000 Dalit women entered politics for the very first time. A seismic shift in the representation of women and Dalit women in key decision-making spaces and a major step towards true democracy and gender equality in Nepal.

But with many of these women remaining illiterate (Dalit women in Nepal have a literacy rate of 35%), though elected they were still unable to meaningfully engage in decision-making.

Womankind Worldwide has supported partners to deliver:
* leadership training for elected women — to build their knowledge, skills, confidence in public speaking, leadership, negotiation, budgeting, and women’s rights.
* Monthly forums providing spaces for potential women leaders to come together with elected women to gain skills and confidence.
* a Provincial Women’s Network that leads on local campaigns to amplify women’s demands and shift attitudes around women in politics.

Parwati's journey into politics

Married when she was just 12, Parwati (pictured above) saw the future that lay before her as a Dalit women in Nepal.
“I had to go through many hardships. One time, I spent 50 rupees to buy soap and my father-in-law hit me with a stick for spending that money… When I was 15 they pressured me to try and have a child.
I was tired of life.”
Whilst still a young woman, Parwati heard about local training for Dalit women to learn about their rights. She attended skills training where she learnt how to sew, allowing her to start her own business and gain some financial independence. But it was what came next that gave her a chance to make a real impact in her wider community.

Encouraged by her friends and neighbours who saw her potential as a leader, Parwati ran in the 2018 local elections. And she won!

“Since being elected I not only speak for myself, but I can fight for the rights of others now. I am proud to be at this position today where I can support other Dalit women.”
We’re in awe of these trailblazing women standing for election, some for the very first time. We’re giving you the opportunity to send a message of support to prospective female candidates ahead of the upcoming election. Let's let them know that we’re behind them!
Send a message of solidarity ([link removed])
We’ll pass on your messages of solidarity to our partners Sankalpa to share with prospective candidates before the election on November 20^th.

In solidarity,

Hannah Little
Supporter Care Team
Womankind Worldwide

Header image: Parwati standing at the entrance of her business in the Doti district of central Nepal. (Credit: Sajana Shrestha)
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