Arghakhanchi, Nepal- At a large meeting this spring, the women from several ADWAN groups publicly challenged their local leaders with an embarrassing question: “Where is our money?”
In Nepal each village is governed by a Village Development Committee (VDC), which is traditionally made up of men — typically wealthy “upper caste” men. Recognizing the importance of including society’s most marginalized citizens, Nepal’s government annually earmarks 15% of all rural development aid to Dalits and women. However, in most communities women and Dalits have no idea of this arrangement, and traditional local leaders usually see no reason to change that.
But thanks to the human rights training funded by ADWAN donors, the Khanchikot women knew that they had almost $1000 coming to them and had already made plans to invest in collective poultry farming. When the money wasn’t forthcoming they asked where their money was. They received only an evasive answer from the VDC and months went by with no sign of the money. Finally, the women showed up in force at the VDC office to demand an answer. With no further explanation, the VDC secretary claimed the money had already been released and they should just go home!
The women responded by organizing an investigation to follow the money trail. They found concrete evidence that the VDC secretary and another local leader had invested it for their own personal gain. In response, a large group of women and men, Dalits and non-Dalits alike showed up at the VDC office. They padlocked it shut, then settled down to wait. As the demonstration grew, the issue received wide attention. After five days the VDC members relented and released the cash.
While such corrupt practices are commonplace in Nepal, they are increasingly under scrutiny. ADWAN can take credit for bringing such behavior under control as women’s solidarity and confidence makes it more difficult to pull the wool over their eyes.
ADWAN organized five women’s groups with a total of 104 women in Khanchikot, Arghakhachi District in 2007-2010. Empowerment training, human rights awareness and conflict resolution training have increased the women’s confidence immensely. Under the able leadership of fieldworker, Shubhakala Nepali the women’s savings and loan group activities have engendered strong solidarity. All this prepared the women to take skillful action in a community matter of great importance to them, and to win a great victory.
Provided with a few simple tools through education, and savings and loan activities, the women themselves become the agents of change. ADWAN’s low-cost, bottom-up approach to sustainable development works!
