Women for Human Rights, single women group (WHR), established in 1995, is a Non-Governmental Organization actively working for the human rights of the single women (widows) in Nepal. It has been dedicated to create an active network of widows across the nation, regional and international level. WHR aims for an equitable society where widows are respected and can live with dignity with sufficient s
ocial, cultural, economical, legal and political rights. WHR focuses on five working areas which are Socio-Cultural Empowerment and Movement, Economic Empowerment and Mobilization, Justice, Human Rights and Peace, Local Governance and Institutional and Organizational Development with 99% focus on widows. Objectives
- To raise the social and economic status of Nepalese single women and their families.
- To mainstream the rights of single women in development, humanitarian and peace building initiatives.
- To lobby and advocate for meaningful participation of single women at decision making levels in the social, economic and political spheres.
- To enhance the capacity of single women to boost their confidence and self-esteem so that they can be their own "Agents of Change". Achievements (at International Level):
Received Special Consultative Status in ECOSOC (Economic and Social Council) in the United Nations in 2011
Highlighted the plight of single women of Nepal at the CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women) and United Nations Commission of Status of Women (CSW). Organized the “International Conference on Capacity Building of Single Women (widows) in 2005 which declared “The Kathmandu Widows Charter” on the basis of human rights instruments like CEDAW, CSW, UN Security Council Resolution 1325 & Beijing Platform of Action. Established as the secretariat for South Asian Network for Widow’s Empowerment in Development (SANWED),a new initiative in the South Asian region to uphold widows’ human rights in all aspects of their lives; end to their poverty and marginalization; and the elimination of all forms of discrimination against them – legal, social, cultural and economic. Organized International Conference on Widowhood: “Widows voices –Empowered” 2010 and Kathmandu Declaration was developed which demanded to have special Rapporteur for Widows and need to have separate desk at N to look after widows issues. Achievements (at National Level):
WHR currently has more than 2000 single women groups in 77 districts with a membership base of over 100,000. These single women are organized and trained to act as agents of change in their respective communities. Lobbied with the government to collect data on widows and now Nepal is the second country in the South Asian Region after India to have data on widowhood at National level
Incorporated the issues of single women in 10th and 11th five-year plan and also in 3 year interim plan of Nepal which has helped to promote the issues of single women at national and international levels. Trained and mobilized thousands of single women as change agents which resulted in decreasing violence at local level. Organized International Conference on Widowhood: “Widows voices –Empowered” 2010 and Kathmandu Declaration was developed which demanded to have special Rapporteur for Widows and need to have separate desk to look after widows issues. Raised issues concerning the need for social security schemes for single women at the national level which has been reflected in the Directive Principles and Policies of the Interim Constitution 2006. For the first time in history, the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare (MoWCSW) announced its decision to set up an Emergency Trust Fund solely for the single women (widows) in Nepal and declared its decision to develop a National Action Plan for Widows in Nepal in which WHR will be included in drafting, preparing and enforcing this plan. Nepalese Government allocated budget for the social security allowance (widows allowances) to all the single women regardless of age in the 2068/069 National Policy and Programs
Establishment of Single Women Emergency Fund was approved by Women Children and Social Welfare Ministry on 5th June 2013.
