Volunteer with a Women’s Group and help overcome the extreme social and legal gender discrimination
Volunteer Society Nepal strives to empower women through education, support and training.
In Nepal, especially in remote rural areas, child labour (especially of girls), domestic abuse, and sexual exploitation is prevalent. Additionally, girls are traditionally kept illiterate, increasing their financial dependency and keeping them unaware of their basic human rights. A number of laws also discriminate against women’s rights regarding inheritance, divorce and the persecution of abusers.
Since its inception, Volunteer Society Nepal (VSN) has been implementing various projects to address the problems of women in Nepal through education, skill training, financial and legal empowerment.
How do volunteers help?
There are many different options for volunteers who want to work with women’s groups in Nepal. VSN is affiliated with a variety of community women’s groups that are always looking for volunteers to help with skill training, legal training and English language classes. VSN starts by asking the local women what it is they require most and we then build the programs around that. These programs then identify local resources and use local materials for the development of skills, which contribute to sustainable resource use and economic development. Examples of skill training programs offered include sewing, weaving methods, tailoring, beautician training, paper making, shop management, animal-raising, toy-making, and other small business products training or marketing.
VSN also has connections with other NGOs working for the empowerment of women, which also need the help of international volunteers. This work may be training women to become journalists, paralegals or help the organisations with marketing and fundraising efforts. If you have 2 months or more to spare here in Nepal you may also get involved in setting up a new women’s group in a needy community.
To develop the women’s groups we also particularly want the following skilled work from volunteers:
- A market analysis for potential projects: Conduct a market analysis of skills, products or services that can be set up by the Everest Foundation Women’s Resource Centre. Take steps towards making these income-generating activities.
- Do a value chain analysis for potential projects: Perform a value chain analysis for a viable industry, product or service and determine how the members can fill roles in the chain from basic production to marketing and vending
- Business Training: Educate the women in financing, accounting, or business development for the enterprise in question
- Health Education: Hold an educational program on home hygiene and family health.
- Women’s support education: Present information to the members about relevant women’s issues in Nepal or globally.
- English teaching: Create and deliver a comprehensive spoken English lesson plans
- Overseas marketing support: Provide marketing services in your home country for clothing, candles, or other products that can be produced by this group
- Grant Writing: Search for and apply to grant making foundations that will support the planned activities at the Women’s Resource Centre
A day in the life of a women’s group volunteer…
Previous Volunteer’s Experiences:
Check out our Volunteer Community Page for first hand accounts of volunteers’ time here at VSN. You can find email addresses to contact past volunteers and also join our Facebook group to post any more questions you may have.
Where in Nepal can I volunteer in a women’s group?
Working with a women’s group is only available in Kathmandu
What accommodation will I be living in?
Wherever you chose to work in Nepal you will be placed in a homestay with a local Nepali family. By living with a family you will gain a greater insight and understanding of Nepali culture. The standard of lodging will depend on whether you are in a rural or urban area. In a rural area the facilities will be basic with minimal running water and a squat toilet. However, in an urban placement you will most likely have a flushing Western style toilet and a shower. All of your food will be provided for you at your homestay and you will never be more than 30 minutes from your place of work. Click through for more information about your Volunteer Food and Accommodation
