The main component of this programme is training. This strategy is based on the observation that the existing advocacy capacity of civil society groups in Nepal is constrained by weak institutional capacity, limited awareness of rights and responsibilities, lack of access to information, illiteracy, and tenuous linkages with other groups and institutions. Training is offered to civil society groups - such as community forest user groups (CFUGs), water user groups, saving and credit organisations, and communication action groups - at the local level, as well as federations and associations at district level. Other trainees hail from the main national associations of District and Village Development Committees and the Federation of Community Forest Users of Nepal. Training on advocacy initiatives focusses on relevant issues, such as forestry management policies, social equity, and justice. In addition to skills training, male members of village and district development committees participate in awareness-raising sessions on self-governance, which emphasises participatory planning.

To launch this process, 210 facilitators were trained in basic advocacy skills; they then trained a further 10,000 people. 8 specialised trainings were conducted for trainees who displayed the skills and capacity to lead community advocacy efforts and to monitor and ensure government accountability. To reinforce these objectives, information, education, and communication (IEC) materials, such as posters and radio messages, were produced and disseminiated. At all stages, participants are helped to establish partnerships and create strategic coalitions.

Training is also central to the effort to increasing women's participation in elected local government. This approach is based on organisers' claim that many ENWRs are unaware of the responsibilities of elected officials and have little knowledge of government structures. They think that this limited access to information contributes to low confidence and self-esteem and limits the ability of ENWRs to advocate for the interests and rights of their constituencies. For this reason, SAMARPAN is trying to reach 950 ENWRs and 3,800 potential women candidates for the next elections in Surkhet and Kailali districts. Orientation workshops and training sessions are provided for ENWRs and 36 women candidates at each village level. These sessions focus on enabling candidates to identify issues, develop a campaign strategy, speak effectively, and mobilise voters (especially other women). The goal is to increase the number of women leaders who have the knowledge and skills to run for office by providing knowledge, information, and skills associated with effective advocacy, constructive participation, and greater influence on local government agendas and plans.

Organisers have adopted two additional supportive strategies to help women play a stronger political role. First, based on the belief that men play an important role in creating an environment conducive to women's growth, SAMARPAN provides gender orientation training to spouses of the ENWRs and approximately 1000 male members of Village Development Executive Committees. Second, a literacy programme is designed to build women's confidence and strengthen their knowledge and advocacy skills. This programme reflects a 2-pronged approach: adapting existing literacy materials on advocacy and local self-governance, and developing self-instructional, group-based post-literacy programmes for ENWRs.

CARE Nepal claims that portions of the Rapti cluster are extensively affected by insecurity. Although implementation of activities related to elected local government is not feasible there, they are working to broaden the scope and ability of CFUGs to play a greater role in civil society. CFUG facilitators are being trained to train others at the community level in basic advocacy, with a smaller group receiving specialised advocacy training. IEC materials are incorporated into the training packages; post-literacy initiatives, such as reading centres, are offered to women's groups. A study is planned to document the lessons learned from work in Rapti as part of an effort to develop strategies and interventions for working in conflict-affected areas.

Women, Gender, Political Development, Civil Society Development, Literacy, Conflict.

In Nepal, only a quarter of women are able to read; in remote areas, this percentage is as low as 10.8%. It is also estimated that 60% of ENWRs are illiterate. Organisers expect that, based on participation in the SAMARPAN literacy programme, at least 8,000 ENWRs and women members of advocacy groups will have basic literacy skills by the July 2005.

Organisers explain that the restoration of democracy in 1990 and subsequent legislation in Nepal gave greater authority, resources, and responsibilities to local government bodies, municipalities, and village and district development committees. In the local government, 20% of seats are now reserved for women. Despite these advances, they say that transparency and accountability in local government is lacking, and participation of the community (particularly women and disadvantaged groups) is limited.

In 6 districts, SAMARPAN works in tandem with the Strengthened Action for Governance in Utilization of Natural Resources programme (SAGUN), which builds the governance capacity of Natural Resource Management (NRM) groups. Click here for a description of this programme.