active· Gender· Livelihoods

F.a: Economic empowerment for social justice: support efforts of the women in Southern Lalitpur to scale up business initiatives and combat inequality

1. Project: 12057 Economic empowerment for social justice: Supporting efforts of the women in Southern Lalitpur to scale up their business initiatives and combat inequality.2. Project area and Country: Southern Lalitpur, Nepal 3. Project justification: The social and development indicators of Lalitpur district as a whole, in general, are above the average status of Nepal. Nevertheless, the Southern part of the Lalitpur district is characterized by limited access, h igh concentration of the socially marginalized groups (Janajatis, Dalits), the prevalence of the caste and gender-based discrimination and inequalities including domestic violence resulting into higher poverty and marginalization. Women are one of the most marginalized groups with very limited participation, network, and opportunity. Moreover, the control of women in production resources is extremely low. 4. The main objective and the expected results:The main objective is to increase influence and dignity of women in southern Lalitpur through consolidation of achievements on access to finance, business and market skills, and promoting gender justice. To achieve this goal, the project will enhance the access of women to affordable finance through consolidat ion of capacity of twelve women’s cooperatives. Thematic trainings to key stakeholders will include account management, product and business development, gender based violence (GBV) reduction, inclusion of people living with disabilities, etc. The projec t will carry out several advocacy activities to overcome GBV and promote meaningful participation of women in the communities by implementing family and CBOs dialogues targeting men of the localities. Additionally, there will be a close cooperation with th e GBV sub-committees and Judicial Committee at the local government on monitoring of GBV cases, reporting child marriage and supporting women victims of violence to access justice. Likewise, advocacy will take place at local government level for encouragin g local producers to promote pest-free production.5. Right-holders/beneficiaries: 4,500 women Duty bearers: Rural municipalities, local government’s agencies, CBOs 6. Implementing partner: Society of Local Volunteers’ Effort (SOLVE) and Federation of W omen Entrepreneurs’ Association of Nepal (FWEAN)