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16 --::f S; V~ Breaking New Ground

Confelence Report Volume I

International Conference on Women's Empowerment Hotel Soaltee Crowne Plaza, Kathmandu. Nepal 14 - 16 December. 1998

l I About the Host

mce 1951, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has worked m Nepal to encourage broad-based economiC growth, currently through agriculture, health, women's empowerment, and hydropower development. Agncultural development, environmental protection and hydropower combine Sto increase farm-production and slow deforestation. Human health protection is supported by family planning, mother/child health campaigns, and reducnon of the spread of infectious ruseases, Women's empowerment is strengthened in an mtegrated, cross-sectoral program of hteracy, legal awareness-ralSlng and advocacy skills training, access to financial services and mlcroenterprise development. The Women's Empowerment Program (WEP) is implemented through mternal and nanonal non-governmental organizations withm a framework agreement with the Government of Nepal. 100,000 women in commuruty­ based econOmlC groups across 21 districts are particlpanng m this 3-year program - the of its kind withm USAID. As an experimental program, WEP is documennng new lessons learned about the value-added of Us integrated approach as compared Wlth other programs focused on women. This is the background for hosnng the mternational women's empowerment conference "Breaking New Ground": to share the lessons and expenence gamed, to discuss and compare notes on successes and failures, and to establish a set of "promising empowerment pracnces" for the new rnillenruum. Organize,s

The International Conference on Women's Empowerment is funded by USAID/Nepal and WIDtech, the technical office on Women m Development of USAID/Washington.

NEPCON Private Limited, Management and Consultancy Company of the Soaltee Group, proVided admlrustrative, logistic and technical support to the conference on a turnkey contract.

SAMANATA, Institute for SOClal and Gender Equality, is a private sector orgaruzation managed by a goup of Nepalese women professionals with the mm ofadvocating for and addressing the sOClal, environmental and gender eqwty issues in the Nepalese development process. SAMANATA is providing professlOnals and techrucal management support to the conference.

Addresses

USAID/Nepal Rabi Bhawan, Kalimati Durbar p.o. Box 5653 Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: (+977 1) 270 144, 271 425 Fax: (+977 1) 272 357

NEPCON Pvt. Ltd. SAMANATA Pvt. Ltd. Tahachal Ekanta Kuna,Jawalakhel EO. Box 3800 EO. Box 13205 Kathmandu, Nepal Kathmandu, Nepal E-mal1: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Tel: (+977 1) 273999,273330 Tel: (+977 1) 535 597 Fax: (+977 1) 272 201 Fax: (+9771) 255 563, attn: SAMANATA

eli- Table of Content

Background

DAY I Conference Proceedings 3 Inauguration 3 Welcome Speech by Joanne Hale, Ml;Slon DIrector, USAID 3 Keynote Speech by Hon !'v1Jmster!'vb Meena Pandey, M\X!SW 3 Opemng Remarks byJanet Bogue, Charge d'Affaires, US Embassy 3 Images of Empowerment -A MultimedIa Show . 3 The Women's Empowerment Program (WEP) Context by Jane Nandy, Team Leader, USAID 4 FIrst working sessIOn WEP Today...... 4 A real empowerment tale' The story of Pratlma Sharma...... 5 Inroads to Rural Nepal. FJeld tripS to the country sIde .. 6 Visit to ChJtwan DIstrict ...... 6 VISit to Nuwakot Dlstnct .. 6 Visit to RupandehJ DIstrict. .. 7

DISCUSSIon sessIon of empowerment In Nepal .. . 8 Optional everung sessIon .. .. 8

DAY II Conference Proceedings 9 Feeding Back ImpressIOns - Recommendations for WEP 11 SummlOg up of WEP .. 12 FlYlOg HIgh' VlSlons ofan empowered world .. 13 Breakmg New Ground -A play by sarvanam. 13 HARDtalk - an IOteractlve panel .. 14

Arts and Crafts of Empowerment - an exmbltlon 17

Optional evemng sessIon 17

• ill • DAY III Conference Proceedings 19

Empowerment program action planmng 20 Defimng PromlSlng Empowerment PractICes .... 24

Awards ceremony - the best practICe~ 24 Concluding Session Wrappmg Up by Jane Nandy, Team Leader, USAID 26 Closmg Remarks byJanet Bogue, Charge d'Affmres .26 N etworkmg and farewell. 26 Conference evaluation by partiCIpants 26

Annexures

Annex 1 The road to the conference __ 27 Annex 2 LIst ofpartiCIpants and address 29 Annex 3 Conference program .. 35 Annex 4 l.1st ofother annexes .. 39

Fax order form .... 41

8lV 8 Acronyms

AI Appreciative Inquiry APA Appreciative Planning & Action ASEED Asian Society for Entrepreneurship Education and Development CBO Community Based Organization CECI Canadian Center for International Studies & Cooperation DEPROSC Development Project Service Center FP Family Planning GAD Gender and Development GTZ German Technical Cooperation HMG His Majesty's Government IEC Information, Education and Communication INGO International Non Governmental Organization JHU John Hopkins University MIS Management Information System MWSW Ministry of Women and Social Welfare, Nepal NEPCON Nepal Consultancy Private Limlted NGO Non Governmental Organization NECOS Nepal Community Service NWC National Women Council, Solomon Islands NZAID New Zealand Aid PCRW Production Credit for Rural Women Program in Nepal PNI Pakistan NGO Initiative PRA Participatory Rural Appraisal RRA Rapid Rural Appraisal

RR&A Rights, Responsibilities and Advocacy Program 1n Nepal SAMANATA SAMANATA-Institute for Social and Gender Equality SCO Saving and Credlt Organization TAF The Asia Foundation USAID United States Agency for International Development WDD Women Development Division of the Ministry of Local Development, Nepal WEP Women's Empowerment Program WFP World Food Program WID Women in Development

• v· • vi· Background

he strategic objective for women's § Present benchmarks, illghlights and constraints in the empowerment adopted by USAID in Nepal process of developlllg the Women's Empowerment IS uruque among USAID country rrusslons. Program; This approach goes beyond traditional § Share expenences with other approaches which have Tmainstrearrung wruch lllcludes gender issues in separate successfully promoted a strong strategic focus on sectoral projects of the portfoho. The strategic focus on women's empowerment III operations by different women's empowerment serves to ralse the perceIved agencIes worldwIde; and value of women's contnbutions to national develop­ § Identify "promising empowerment practices" cen­ ment and directs USAID/Nepal's activities on women. tral to the development of new and better pro­ In developing the Women's Empowerment Pro­ grams strategically focused on women. gram (WEP), USAIDIN epal staffhad to address uruque pohcy, programmatic and management issues. Thus, it The conference was desIgned to share real-hfe, field­ was felt that shanng trus expenence and lessons learned based experiences and prorruSlllg practices. In order to ensure a broad-based discusslOn, around 100 designers, III developing and unplementing the women's empow­ erment strategy would provIde development agencies planners, Implementers and practitioners were invited with Important lllsights into 'prorruSlllg practices' and for tills first of its kind conference. The lllvitees repre­ help in identifYlllg other potential approaches to strate­ sented INGOs, NGOs and donors from all over the world, and the host country, who were interested in cre­ gically address gender concerns III development pro­ gramrrung. atively frarrung the empowerment debate and strategies Keeplllg this in rrund, it was decided that an lllterna­ for the new millenruum by bmlding on real-life experi­ tional conference would be orgaruzed to: ences, rather than Just academic theones. The conference was orgaruzed by USAID Nepal, § Present USAIDIN epal's StrategIc Objective on 1ll collaboratlOn with NEPCON Pvt. Ltd. and Women's Empowerment as one successful ap­ SAMANATA - Institute for Social and Gender Equal­ proach to integrate gender into development; Ity (See Annex 1 - The road to the conference).

• 1 •

Conference Proceedings Day I

he international conference on women's In her inaugural address, Hon. Miruster for Women empowerment "Breakmg New Ground" was and SOClal Welfare Mrs. Meena Pandey threw light on orgaruzed in Kathmandu, Nepal from 14 to the nauonal development pohcies of His Majesty's Gov­ T 16 December 1998. The conference had two ernment of Nepal and lts agenda for women's empow­ parallel themes. Theme one was deslgned to share ex­ erment. She commended the slgnificant and valuable perience from USAID/Nepal's uruque Women's Em­ role being played by USAID m Nepal's overall devel­ powerment Program as an approach whlch goes be­ opment. She also thanked USAID for organizing the yond tradmonal mamstreaming ofgender lssues m sepa­ Conference, and expressed hope that the exercise would rate sectoral projects. The second theme was to share prove to be a milestone towards women's empower­ real-life, field-based experiences from all over the world ment m a practical and a reahstic way. (See Annex 5 ­ and ldentify promlsing women's empowerment prac­ Keynote speech by Hon. Mrs. Meena Pandey, Minister Uces for the next milleruum. of State for Women and Social Welfare.) Welcoming the 89 participants from 16 countries Thankmg the partiClpants for theIr presence Janet from five continents and the host country (See Annex 2 Bogue, Charge d' Affaires, US Embassy remarked that - List of particlpants and contact addresses), the confer­ the conference was proof of the excitement surround­ ence began on an upbeat note, mviting the mternational ing the unique Women's Empowerment Program be­ development community assembled to creauvely dis­ ing lmplemented by USAID m Nepal. Ms. Bogue con­ cuss women's empowerment strategies. The conference cluded her remarks by commenting that all the partici­ was designed to ensure maXlffium interaction and shar­ pants worked with women who dreamed, hoped, mg of experience in the sessions. The first day was orga­ struggled and worked to get better choices to improve nized to give paruClpants deeper msights mto the em­ their well bemg and that of theIr families. Therefore, powerment efforts of the USAID program in Nepal she hoped that participants would show these women by a stage-setting mauguration, a presentauon on the and their future respect by giving their best to this land­ Women's Empowerment Program and field trips to mark conference. (See Annex 6 - Operung remarks by program sites in rural Nepal. Janet Bogue, Charge d'Affaires, US Embassy.) A feature ofthe inaugurauon was a multimedia show entitled "Images of Empowerment". This audio-visual Inauguration presentauon gave a series of colorful snapshots of the status of Nepali women. Comparative images were elcoming all guests, paruClpants and members portrayed of empowered as well as unempowered of the press, Joanne Hale, Mission Director women. Wlule on one hand the success which had come W for USAID Nepal shared highhghts of her about in some women's lives through thelr joint group 26 years of experience of working Wlth women's em­ effort, and lts lmpact on thelr fa.rrul1es and commuruues powerment through dlfferent development interven­ was clearly depicted, on the other hand the phght of tions. She emphasized women's strength and resilience unempowered women, many of whom are not even to emerge empowered agamst all odds. Wlule conclud­ aware of group mobilization, was also presented. A ing her remarks,Joanne quoted Mother Teresa who said, success story of a parucipant in the Women's Empow­ "We cannot do great things. We can only do small things erment Program was portrayed and contrasted with the with great love". She urged all participants to work with hfe of typlCal unempowered women. The multi media greater love to better understand empowerment and ltS presentation provided all present a context and over­ relevance to national development. (See Annex 4 - Wel­ vlew of Nepal, ltS development and the status and con­ come Speech byJoanne Hale, Dlrector, USAID/Nepal) diuons of Nepali women.

·3· At the end of the inaugural sessionJane Nandy, Team trict m central Nepal. MarCla defIned empowerment as a Leader for the Women's Empowerment Strategtc Ob­ woman's ability to make cholCes and her ability to bring jective, USAID/Nepal, explamed the context of the about changes for the better, not only for her own self conference "Breaking New Ground." Ms. Nandy re­ but for those around her as well. marked that the definition of empowerment, which was She further elaborated that the purpose of WEP is anchored in the concept of being able to make cholCes, to enable women to improve their own well-being and was reached after a long and very public process of that oftheir farruly and community by offering them an discussion, consultation and debate. Stating that a lot of integrated package of literacy, econOmlC opportunities effort and tlme had been invested in measunng empow­ in micro-fInance and micro-enterpnse development, and erment, she felt the Women's Empowerment Program legal rights and advocacy training. These new skills will (WEP) could make a global contributlon by document­ mcrease their influence on household decision making, ing the unpact of empowerment change. increase household spendlng on farruly wellbemg, and Referring to the uniqueness ofWEP among USAID mcrease their ability to act collectively for sOClal change MJ.ssions worldwide, Jane informed all present that the m their commuruties. The drrect benefIciaries of the pro­ main lessons learned in framing this program had been gram will be 100,000 women m some 7,000 savings documented in a case study wluch was provided to par­ and credlt groups across 21 dlstricts ofNepal. The pro­ ticipants. gram is implemented through local NGOs with an She said thatWEP was dlfferent because it was forg­ Empowerment Worker functlorung as the front-line mg a new way for women in development by having contact person to the groups. moved beyond the "add women in" mentality. The pro­ Itwas explalned that hteracy is the fIrst interventlon gram was supporting women in three integrated, mutu­ that women are offered after sigrung-up, as all other ally remforcmg and synergistlc dimensions: by proVld­ training m the program assumes that participants are lit­ mg functional literacy; by training women m legal rights erate at a basic level. A new three-month empower­ and advocacy; and by promoting econOmlC opporturu­ ment hteracy matenal has been developed, wluch is pro­ ties, giving women money in their hands. vided to the groups as a self-tutorial. (See Annex 7 - The context of the Women's Empower­ Meanwlule, the econOmlC mterventlon conSists of ment Program Context by Jane Nandy, Team Leader, support to the strengthening of the savmgs and mlcro­ WEP) credit activitles of the women's groups. Smaller groups As the maugural session ended and participants were are encouraged to amalgamate or Jom a co-operative to served refreshments, the fIrst issue of the news bulletin increase outreach and thereby the loanable fund. A post­ "Empowerpoint" was made available to all. This spe­ literacy curriculum focusing on savings, credit and ml­ cial news bulletin was published on all three conference cro-enterpnse development is proVided, and techrucal days. (See Annex 8 - Empowerpoint News bulletins) assistance will be provided by regtonal economic op­ portunitles advisers. • Marcia then presented the facts and fIgures of the first working session: Women's Empowerment Program. (See Figure 1.) The uruque partnering mechanism between Pact and WEP Today The Asia Foundation (TAF) for the Women's Empow­ erment Program was also lughhghted m the presenta­ he fIrst session following the inauguration was tion. The two implementing partners use the same N GOs, a presentation ofthe structure and content of fIeld offIces and fIeld staff. The legal nghts and advo­ the Women's Empowerment Program (WEP) cacy component of WEP was presented by Andy. in Nepal. Through snapshots and video clips Andy stated that the component addressmg Rights, Tfrom the fIeld MarCla Odell, Chief of Party for WEP Responsibilities and Advocacy (RR&A) was a six month from the INGO Pact and Julio Andrews (Andy), Rep­ long action oriented intervention, designed to help resentative, The Asia Foundatlon, presented the lessons women understand their legal nghts and Civic responsi­ learned on which WEP is based, as well as the opportu­ bilitles (R&R 14 weeks @ 6 days a week), and lrutlate nities and challenges ofstartlng an integrated empower­ collective actlons for SOCial change and advocacy (10 ment program. weeks @ 2 days a week). The program is delivered In the presentation of the literacy and economic through a literacy based curnculum deSigned by TAF program components that Pactimplements, Marcia cited and its consultants on the baSiS of pnor programming examples of empowerment of women m practlce, in­ expenence.. The main modules are: eluding the true story of Pratima from Rupandehi Dis- Rights: Legal awareness and reproductive nghts. RR&A encourages women to seek informal redress rather than using the formal judICIal redress system which is costly, tlffie consuming, and generally § What is the law not supportive of women. RR&A IS not a legal aid § How it affects women program; rather it encourages and teaches women to § How to obtain redress resolve personal and community issues and dIsputes through mformal resolution. (See Annex 9 - Background Responsibilities: Civic participation paper on WEP) § Local governance A real empowerment tole: The story § National governance of Pratima Sharma § Elections § Participation After the presentation Ms. Pratima Sharma, the epitome of an empowered woman was called upon to Advocacy: Collective actions for share her story. Pratlffia explamed that as her father could social change not support her schooling, she was asked to dIscontinue school at an early age. However, a determined Pratima § SOCIal actions set out to educate herselfby starting a small shop during § Infrastructure actions the vacation to earn her school fees. As she made enough Some of the key areas covered In the RR&A profit she continued her studies. Now her shop was curriculum relate to protection of baslC rights, chlld paying for the education of her siblings as well! marnage, divorce, property rights, legal aspects ofsaVlng Pratima's father was very proud of her and called her and credit, vlOlence agalnst women, trafficking, and the bread-winner ofthe family!!

Basic data on WEP § The program is virtually in the hands ofthe women themselves through the decentralized, bottom-up § Time frame: 34 months from the signing of the and demand-driven structure. agreement with the Government of Nepal § Target women are from 21 dIstncts of Nepal Empowerment literacy and belong to estabhshed econOffilC groups. § WEP has begun to work with 120,000 women § Helps women to improve their reading, wnting, withln some 7,000 economIC groups In the and numeracy program areas. § Encourages women to learn and practice together, § By the end ofthe program these120,000 women share experiences, make decisions, and take charge will be able to read and write. of their lives § Likewise, 100,000 of these women will be § Builds strong economIC groups and lntroduces running a ffilCro enterprise, and good busmess practices § 81,000 ofthese women will meet certaln income § Encourages open commumcation, especially Wlth targets through their businesses. men, other family members, and the community.

The WEP methodology Micro-enterprise development

§ Eligible women's groups commit themselves to § Provides Insight into sound entrepreneurship the program by paying a participation fee which § Introduces best practices for business operations augments their own group saVlng fund § Outlines key elements ofthe best small businesses § The entire dehvery, tralnmg and outreach system in Nepal; and applies a grassroots interactive approach § Promotes the practice to keep adequate financial § Innovative forms of self-instructional hteracy and records. business skills traimng matenals have been mtroduced Figure 1

• 5 • Getting ready fOl the field

artIcIpants were encouraged throughout the charged on loans was 24 per cent whIch most members presentation to use the flashcards on theIr tables of the society felt was too lugh for the loanable amounts, P to note any queries, comments or observations wluch were too small to undertake large projects. How­ regardlng the Women's Empowerment Program. These ever, members were pleased that loans were easily ac­ would determine the Issues of the group diScussIons cessIble and 'obstacles' such as collateral usually posed planned for the following day. Participants were then by commercial banks were ehmmated. divided into four groups, three groups would be VlSlt­ Overall, the tnp was very interactive and a good mg WEP program sHes whereas one group would re­ learning expenence for both the parucipants and the main to dlscuss empowerment practices espeClally rel­ members of the various WEP groups. PartiClpants were evant to Nepal. Participants vISIting the field sHes were generally impressed with the level of co-operation that then given a short mterval to change and prepare for the existed m the co-operatives and the local area network. field trIpS. They were surpnsed to learn that members were willing to pay 24 per cent mterest on loans taken. Participants Inroads to Rural Nepal: Field trips had a chance to hear the success stones, where women had repaid theIr loan installments and were applying for to the countryside fresh loans for profitable busmesses. The participants found it particularly mteresting that most ofthe income The three field trips were to Chitwan, Rupandehi generated was bemg spent by the women on lmprovmg and Nuwakot distncts. While the groups to Chitwan and theIr hving standard, sendlng theIr children to school and Rupandehi took a flIght, the third group went to attempting to generate more income for themselves. For N uwakot by bus. most it was the only means of earrung hard cash, as the farm output was merely enough for SubSIstence. Fur­ VISit to Chitwan thermore, though the groups were not gIvmg loans to men, they st1ll had their support m all theIr activities. A group of 18 paruClpants joined the field trIp to Questions raised by participants centered around Clutwan. Upon arrlVal at Bharatpur aIrport, USAID sustamablhty and empowerment expenenced by the vehicles took the partiClpants to a total of three field women after becorrung members of the groups. SHes, where staff from Pact and their NGO partners welcomed them. VISit to Nuwakot The first stop was the "ChandraJyoti Women's Sav­ ing and Credlt Union". A member of the Union gave a After approximately an hour of dnvmg up a wmd­ presentation about the co-operative, its aims and objec­ ing hill road, the 23 paruClpants were greeted by the tives. ThIS was followed by a bnef dIScussion after sIght ofthe mountain ranges m Kakaru village. The staff which the group was divided into two to VISIt a tailoring of the NGO Development Project SerVIce Center enterprise and a poultry enterprise. (DEPROSC) and the Implementing The next VlSlt was to the "Shreejana INGO Canadlan Center for Inter­ Women's Savmg and Credit Co-op­ national StudIes & CooperatlOn erative", where followmg a brIef (CECI) escorted them to the Tara presentatlOn, participants were Gaon Restaurant, where they were taken to see some of the mcome briefed about the program focused generating enterprises of this group, on evolvmg commuruty based or­ namely a bicycle repair shop and a garuzations (CBOs) to perform cement foundry. socio-economlC actiVIties in an effi­ The last stop was the CIent and cost effective manner. The "Dhaddaghari Women's SocIety". CBOs, of whIch a number are The socIety was based on the con­ women-only, are strengthened cept of the Grameen Bank of through a package of techrucal, Bangladesh and was promoted by managenal and tralrung support as the local Grameen repl1cator well as access to safe savmgs and "Nudhan". The Interest rate credlt for income generation

·6· ~~ ~"~,~ ...-.~..~,.-.,..~. "-...~ ... ~.. Pollowing the presen- tatlOn, partIcIpants were taken to a nearby locatlon where women CBO mem­ bers were gathered for in­ tcractIOn. A bnef descrIp­ tion ,va ~ gIven by one of thc member~ about then prc~cnt ~a"lngs and credit ,ervtcc~, theIr mlCro-entcr­ pllses and what this had mcant 1n thclr h,-c~ :\n e'(­ hlbltlon-CUl11-,ale of \-an­ ou~ \'egetable~ and other rroduct~ ~uch as ghee (chnfwd hutter), honcl, herh, :l1ld ~plce, produced hI the ('1)() \\ omen \\-a, enthll,taQ1Calh attended to by the participants, while ex­ penence was shared and Issues dIscussed. were not actually recovenng theIr labor cost. During a ltvely interaction With a research team Participants then met with members of the Nlrdhan currently assessing women's status In the CBOs of Center, BIhuli. Beena Neupane, the leader of the cen­ Nuwakot, partlcipants compared notes on the ongoing ter, explained how the group had grown to ItS present activities in Nuwakot and actiVIties in other parts of the membershIp of 50. She also explained the method of world. Finally, the participants were Invited for an giVing loans and repaying installments and claimed that Interesting cultural program put up by the women the repayment rate of the poor women was cent per­ portraying songs and drama for equalIty and cent. empowerment. The next stop was the Pipariya Village Women's group who had recently signed up with WEP. The group Visit to Rupondehl was also part of the Village-Based Community Devel­ opment Project, wruch had 23 activities supported by The Rupanderu group comprised 17 participants. the local NGO Nepal Commuruty SerVlce (NECOS). Due to a delay of the flIght, the group landed at Despite the plans, shortage of time prevented the par­ Siddharthanagar airport 20 rrunutes berund schedule, but tiCIpants from walking a tour of the village. However, making up for lost tlme, partiCIpants were taken by car staff from WEP and NECOS presented some of the to Blhuli village, where the Nirdhan Utthan Bank (an tools used in the Appreciative Planrung and Action (APA) NGO replicating the Grameen model in Nepal as a approach of WEP and showed the related drawings by partner to WEP) was providing loans to village women. the women's group portraying theIr concept of women's Upon arrival the guests were receIved by Dr. Harihar empowerment. Most pIctures depIcted a girl-child go­ Dev Pant, Chalrman, Nirdhan Utthan Bank. ing to school, women earrung money, and women run­ The members were dIVIded into three smaller groups ning theIr own small vegetable gardens or shops. and taken to meet various women who were conduct­ Reactions from the participants after the trip seemed ing business with loans proVlded by Nirdhan. The groups to reinforce theIr opiruon that "It is necessary to relate Vlslted Blna Panyaar (a tailor), Jaltuni Shah (a buffalo the credit programs WIth literacy, health, women's rights ralser) and Indra Kumari Rana (a pIg farmer). Great and advocacy responsIbility". Furthermore, the trip interest was taken by the partiCIpants In the activWes of proved very useful for as one participant put It, "women's these women who were asked numerous questions about empowerment issues are abstract untIl you see such vll­ their lives. Though most partiCIpants expressed eXCIte­ lages WIth your own eyes". ment that such poorwomen were carrying out econorruc aCtiVIties on theIr own, a few also expressed concerns ....MeanwhIle back at the hotel, the partiCIpants who that the activities may have added to their already heavy stayed behind held a detaIled discussion on women's work burden. Some were also ofthe Vlew that the women empowerment In Nepal.

·7 • Discussion of empowerment in Nepal

hatting the seSSlOn, Nancy Langworthy, USAID/ Another issue that arose was whether a momtoring Nepal welcomed all those present to the ses system could be made to measure longer-term impact C sion which focused on WEP as a continuation and change in the women and families targeted by WEP, of the morning's presentanon. Arzu Deuba, moderator, even after the project was completed. The dlscuSSlOn SAMANATA, explamed that though WEP compnses centered on how longer-term monitonng could be made three components, in fact it was a synergisnc combina­ effective and what could and should be done. Some tion leading to empowerment by Increasing women's lit­ participants suggested that women's groups could fed­ eracy, strengthening their economic participation and erate, or the government could come In, or maybe even strengthening knowledge oftheir legal nghts and teach­ other INGOs could get involved in the long-term to ing them advocacy skills. strengthen sustainability. Ava D. Shrestha, moderator, SAMANATA, and ExplaIning that WEP was a bottom-up and de­ consultant to WEP for a baselme survey carried out in mand-dnven program, it was pointed out that a cus­ 1997 added that WEP was a departure from both WID tomer survey had initlally been conducted where rural and GAD. The approaches for addressillg the critical women had strongly demanded the three interventions needs of women had changed over the last three de­ that WEP now encompasses. But SInce WEP IS imple­ cades. In the 1970s, women in development (WID) pro­ mented through a large number of local NGOs, stress grams were put on the development agenda and would need to be laid on transparency, honesty and ac­ women's needs were addressed by adding separate countability. With regards to the monetary contrlbunons women's components alongsIde In sector development demanded from the target groups, the debate on whether projects. In the 1980s, most development agencIes agreed they should be asked to contribute when they were so on the need to integrate or mainstream women's con­ resource poor was hIghlighted. DespIte objections from cerns illto sector programs to address larger structural several parnes, TAF and Pact had deoded to go ahead problems that marginalized women and to better achIeve with it, believing that It would prevent donor depen­ sector goals. However, USAID/Nepal's approach to dency. The lffiplementers firmly believed dependency lffiplemennng WEP was taking mainstrearrung one step would never lead to empowerment. The group discus­ further. Under WEP, it was explamed that women are sion supported thIs Vlew; being targeted with an entire package of empowerment On the issue ofgroups which were left out or opted inputs. The program uses a systemanc, iterative, layered not to join the program it was unanimously agreed that approach that builds on a woman's abilines and skills. WEP had to be ready to face some compllcations as Literacy, economic, and legal programs are tools to obtain there would always be groups or NGOs which were a higher goal empowerment - and WEP sets out to skepncal towards this parncular program. Slffillarly, WEP empower women and to measure that empowerment. should also be prepared for groups WhICh will change Ava further explained that while preparing the theIr mmds and opt out later. baseline survey, she had had personal doubts about the Overall, it was noted that though WEP has tned to program, as it had not included vital components such deal with many issues in ItS initial phase, many new and as health and agriculture. However, as she got addltional unexpected ones would have to be faced during the knowledge of the program, her belief in its strategy implementation period. However, WEP was deter­ and success had increased. Speaking of the economic mined to stay its course, meet Its targets and not get groups identified for WEP, she said that some of them daunted by obstacles. were new while others were old. However, efforts were being made to ensure that WEP included women who had already begun theIr march towards empowerment. Optional evening Regarding the non-targeting of perhaps the most unempowered and the poorest of the poor, It was ex­ session plained that the money factor as well as the time frame was key issues ill thIs, as both would not suffice ifwomen n an optional evening session after dmner, parno were starnng completely from scratch. However, she pants shared their own experiences and wisdom. pointed out that even among the groups experience var­ I Though the initial plan was for five participants to Ied. make presentations on the evemng of the fIrst day, par-

• 8· Conference Proceedings Day II

he second day of the conference began with welcome words from the moderator. As there were a number of quenes about WEP, MarCla and Andy were called upon to Tprovlde the answers, so that all present could be clear about the program (See Annex 9). After these clanficaoons the moderator read out the major Issues on \"X'EP determined by the flashcards made by participants dunng the presentation of WEP the day before. The flashcards were displayed In the conference hall too. The major issues (See Annex 11 - Suggested Key Issues) were:

1. Time frame at several levels

§ \'Vl11 the women have time to partlClpate In so many interventions? § Does \"X'EP follow the sectoral pnorities for reducing workload, orne and nsks for women? § When do we stop llltervenoons? ticipants were tired and it was agreed that only Dr. Nagendra Singh from the Asian Society for Entrepre­ neurship, Education and Development (ASEED) would 2. Balance between and make his presentaoon. All other seSSlOns would take sequencing of the interventions place the followlllg day. Dr. Nagendra Slllgh, from Asian Society for Entre­ § How can econonuc acovities be strengthened even preneurship, Education and Development (ASEED), while the women are learrung to read and wnte? dIscussed "Women's Econonuc Empowerment Focus § With the current time frame of 18 months, how and Strategies", propagated byASEED, which addresses should the llltervenoons be sequenced to ensure women's economlC empowerment. He presented maximumimpact? ASEED's methodology which focuses on: i) women uniting to work together for a common econonuc goal; 3. Linkages at all levels ii) women formmg groups to explore mutually benefit­ lllg relaoonships; and iii) the economic lnterest support­ § How can WEP better support the overall need for lllg the interdependent relationsrup ofgroups III splte of co-ordination among slmilar programs? low intra-group cohesiveness. § How do we get from WEP to a national 'woman­ Explaining that the concept ofecononuc empower­ to-woman program'? ment as lnitiated by ASEED advocates a paradigm sruft III the development process from the convenoonal model, 4. Strengthening and broadening Dr. Singh highlighted that tills strategy brings together of groups groups around income generaoon, rmcro-enterpnses, and other economic interventions. (See Annex 10- Presenta­ § How can small, dispersed and remotely located tion by Dr. Nagendra Singh) groups be helped on the way towards sustainability?

·9 • § How can we ensure the inclusion of the poorest/ As parucipants were already seated at the tables m disadvantaged women? thett working groups, they were asked to discuss the content, structure, plans and lessons learnt on WEP 5. Involvement of men guided by the issues raised and based on their own expenences. Each group was then asked to present three recommendations on WEP to the implementing team. § How can WEP better address the need to change Followmg completion of the group discussions, men's atutudes in the complex environment of caste presentations of the recommendauons were fashioned and ethnicity? in an interactive style. Unhke usual plenary presentauons, § How do we make men more aware of the benefits 'lamp post presentations' were made for presenung the of empowerment of women? group work. A rapporteur from each group put up the group's flip chart on 'lamp post' flip chart boards and 6. Policies and strategies presented the findings. The remaimng group members each went to one of the other lampposts. After attendmg § Is WEP WID, GAD or somethmg else? the presentauon the group members all regrouped in § How can WEP address gender equahty while their original working groups and debriefed each other focusmg on women alone? on what had been learnt m the other groups. The major outcomes and recommendations for improvingWEP were 7. Sustainability and replicabilty as follows:

§ How can the impact ofWEP be monitored after the 3 mtervenuons are completed? § How can we measure and ensure sustainability?

.10. Recommendations for WEP

~ '\' , ·11 • In response to whetherWEP can or should do more, Summing Up Jane pomted out that both lirruted time as well as the budget presented major obstacles. Five months of the he session was summed up byJane Nandy, Team 18 months time left would be spent by commuruties on Leader, USAID who tried to capture the planting, harvesting, festivals and the up-coming elec­ T common themes reported by the groups, their tions. Therefore, the current time frame is already ex­ recommendations as well as the manner inwhich USAID tremely short for just completing all of the baSK WEP and WEP would take account ofthese. Expressing grati­ activities. tude to the partiClpants for their interest, creativity, pa­ On the second common theme of time the recom­ tience and willingness to work to help in fine tuning mendations made were: 1) need for more time frame to WEP, she stated that WEP was truly viewed as a mov­ show results, ii) need of at least five years for empower­ mg, evolving, adapting, changmgand innovating program. ment activities, and c) negotiate time frame for fleXlbility Commenting on the suggestion about the mvolve­ to achieve goals. Jane commented that the present time ment of men and the recommendations that WEP frame for the USAID women's empowerment strategic should: i) use the GAD approach to mcrease the partici­ objective in Nepal IS 1997-2000. The recommendation pation of men and households; it) address gender IS­ from Nepal to USAID WashIngton would be that the sues: men and women lllvolved in complex socIal program be extended to 2001. However, thIs raIsed the changes; ill) include men, strategically using GAD; IV) Issue of add1tional funds, which remamed uncertain. monitor change m the power relations between men and Under the theme of sustamability, the Issues raised women and v) proVlde actiVlties for men's involvement were: i) linkages at all levels, l.e., at the local and na­ and support,Jane said that the first generation of WEP tionallevels between the government, donors, and NGO had not addressed men at all. The second and current community; ii) need for a phase out strategy for the generation had brought about several changes, one of programs; and iii) strengtherung the leadershlp inwomen's whIch was the recognition that the role of men should groups by usmg tools such as self-evaluation, self-moru­ be addressed. Accordingly, in the villages of every toring and self-management. Remarkmg that WEP was women's econOrnlC group WEP is: a) holding an orienta­ to some extent already Implementing these suggeStions, tion to explain the WEP program to the men of the Jane emphasized that self-management had been built in village to make them supportive ofthe program, and b) the program. Two out of three mterventions already used orgaruzmg family days (bringing together men, children tutorials where the women learned by themselves, thus and elderly) so that they all are mvolved and informed breakmgdonor dependency. This approach had been cho­ in an mformal, village faIr-type atmosphere. sen both due to the varYlllg hteracy level wIthin the groups, and in order to promote :lnd en<;t]fe 111:l,1111Ll111 ~lIq;l1tl:lhillt\ ofthe ,crrOLl!'~ \\ tthln 1he rJllll ff.1llll :1\ :l1LthiL S Ll111111 a 1'1 /1 ng the dt~cLl<;qon~ on \,'Fr, J:lne :lgaln th:lnked :l11 paftlClp:lnt<; for the Yen' useful fecommeolb­ tlOn~ and obsefyatlOos, and promIsed to lllCOf­ porate a<; 111:l0\ :l<; '1t all pm'1hiL ttl \\'1 1'. Imp­ tog th:lt thefl mlght he a po"'thilm of a thtrd l';eneLlt1()tl ()f thl pr()­ gra111

-12 - eavmg the specifics ofthe Nepal program to turn most European countries had come a longway since the to global empowermentissues, the first afternoon beginning of 20th century when segregauon m school L session contemplated the VlSlOns ofa future world systems and stereotypmg of female roles had prevailed. where women are empowered. The broader perspectives After the second world war co-educatlon had been of the how's and what's of empowerment were presented introduced as it was felt gtrls would get a better and by participants from three different contlnents who shared more equal chance. However, presently itwas again being their hopes, dreams and visions of a world where women debated whether perhaps segregation is better to enable are empowered. girls and boys to learn the same subjects m different ways. ·If...... ' Speaking of work sharing both at office and at home, she stated that the ideal family m Europe b~ Zo Randnamaro, WID Officer at USAID Mada­ compnsed of two working professionals, with a gascar maximum of two children, who would share the workload equally. Conc1uwng her presentation, Gabriele In her presentauon, Zo talked about the exisung said that many of the ideals mentioned were already status of women in Madagascar, a status typified by being practiced, thus, they were not 'undoable'. disparaglOg verbal expresslOns about women. Commenting on the issue of equallty which was often raised as lip service, the need for deep cultural change m 'Images of Rural Women' mentality and behavior was highlighted. 20 read out a b~ Ms Mehnoz Akbar, TAF Pakistan powerful poemwhich she had written with the assistance of a male fnend, stating the achievements m the 21st Taking the parucipants through a series of slides from century WhiCh could be made if women w'ere the remotest part of Tharparkar, Pakistan, Mehnaz's empowered. Her vislOn of other ways the world could presentation depleted the status quo of the women of work and other ways women could live, ifwomen were the region and the changes required. Alludmg to the place empowered earned her a thundering round ofapplause. as an area where the elderly stress that 'women's roles (See Annex 12 - Empowerment ViSlOn by 20 should not change because the sun and land do not Randnamaro, USAID Madagascar) change', she shared the hopes and changes that women are bringmg about m their llves desplte the odds. Pictures 'A European Vision on Gender in the slide show presented girls getting educated and cormng together, and gradually mobilizing themselves. Equality' The presentaUon comprised lffiages ofchange that would b~ Gabriele Reichenbach, International Consultant affect not only the present generauon, but the women and gtrls of the future generation as well. Gabnele shared a European vislOn for gender equality focusmg on deClslOn-making, access and control of resources and wVlSlon of labor as the three major 'Breaking New Ground' themes currently debated in Europe. Regarwng mfluence A plo~ b~ Sarvanam Theatre Group m deClsion-making, Gabnele mentioned the quota system pracuced at the professlOnal level (reservauon) and in Next on the agenda was a play by a renowned the political sphere. Speakmg of it as an essential but Nepali drama group called "Breaking New Ground ­ mtncate process, Gabriele commented that despite VOlce of the VOlceless". This play contrasted the lives setbacks women m influenual positions were on the rise of a typical wsempowered Nepali woman with that of m Europe and the quota system for executive poslUons empowered women organized m a group to improve was COntlnUlng. England was presented as an ideal, where their own llves. The empowered women become role the vision of women's polltical empowerment was more models and a symbol of hope for the less fortunate concrete and equal representauon of men and women woman. This play was presented by the Sarvanam Theatre m pollucal fora was accepted as normal Group, which is renowned for its street dramas and plays, On access to resources such as educauon, jobs and nauonally and around Asia. (See Annex 13 - Synopsis of' opuons for a professlOnal career, she pomted out that the play 'Breaking New Ground'.)

.13 • might not match the needs of the communities. But, the HARDtalk crosscutung Issue IS basically to assist in the organization of a community committee irrespecuve ofthe sector or alntaming the global perspective on program focus and then to help bring about a true empowerment, the followmg session was an partnership. Once the technique of organization and M. interactive panel on the challenges of imple­ partnership IS well incorporated In the communities they menting women's empowerment programs to grve food can then successfully link up With any program or sector for thought to the inquisitive. An lnternational panel of that the external organizations are offering. three experts, Carmen Velasco from Pro Mujer in Boli'.1;1, f:h;lnty K;lhuth;l from \'C'omcn\ T"c;ld­ er~hlp l\;ctwork In Kem;l ;lnd gender con~ult ;lnt Qur;ltul ,\10 Bakhte;lrI from Pakl'-tan dl'­ cU'i'ied the lntrIC1tc challenge' f;lclOg L'mpO\\ erment lmp1l'ment;lt!on 10 future The dl'icu'i­ <;Jon W;I'i gloh;l1J7ed \'la c-mal!, f;l". ;lnd an lnternet chatroom The discussion focu'ied on three major IS­ 'iue,' ,trategles for hnklng thc multiple inter­ ventIOns reqUIred to achieve empowerment; the paradox of speClah7-ed Implcmenters and the need for multi-sectoral prol-,'Tams; and how to master the demands of 'icale and rephcablhty. Moderated byJoanne Splcehandler, a specialist in management of famIly planning and reproductive Quratul recommended that program Implementation health programs, the first half of HARDtaik was a dia­ should Include a close partnership between NGOs!do­ logue between the panelists while the second half had nors and the community In question She CIted the ex­ the three panelists responding to issues raised from the ample of a community which actually reqUlred a 24­ floor. hour water tap and electricity, but were given a program The issue of linking multiple intervenuons needed for pit latrines by a NGo. Such Initial 'mismatches' could, to achieve empowerment was discussed by Carmen however, be viewed as bridge-building exercises and a Velasco who shared her decade long experiences in partnership to actually respond to the needs ofthe com­ Bolivia. Her experience In Bolivia had brought on the muruty could grow from there. realization of the importance of strategies to link all the Quratul shared her expenence of how needs of a pillars which could prod women to empowerment. In community were not always expressed or were expressed her opinion, a successful empowerment strategy has to differently, when communicating with intermediary combine the three elements of being partiCIpatory, being organizatIOns. LikeWise, the projectIOn by the group based and truly integrated. She quoted the lntermediary to e.g. a donor of the same would take the example ofher own organizatIOn Pro Mujer, which had "needs-based" deSigns further off course. Cltlng the grown from one women's group to now 300 women's example of Baluchistan, she therefore felt that groups comprising 60,000 members (See Annex 14.). The intermediary organizations had to be placed literally at three elements were key to the groups being formed the field level and that community workers had to be in and becoming successful. The group programs Included direct contact with the donor!s to ensure accurate leadership development, chlldcare, reproductive health, communication. That is why training and mobilization savings and credit and Income generauon. One result both of community aspects in the organl7ations and of had been that now the women really had a voice in the development field workers IS so important. community. When asked from the floor whether inroads to such The second Issue addressed local communities versus ideal communication can be Identified even when development agencies, how they evolve their sense of communication amongst major donors was not clear, issues and what the emerging challenges were. Quratul Quratul responded that breakthroughs can be made and Ain Bakhtean from Pakistan discussed that communities gaps fllied In with a little more focused and ngorous see themselves as being holistic and can determine their training at the community level by the Implementers so own needs. However, external organizatIOns come into that the community becomes a lobbying force for the communities with their own agenda and programs which correct interpretation of its own needs.

.14· Discussing the challenges of scale in empowerment programs, Charity Kabutha mterpreted 'scahng-up' in two ways: a) begin very small, in a pilot project and expand geograplucally, or b) move up from lessons learnt at a lower level, to a policy level where one can begm to form policies and give direcnon in terms ofresource allocation. Therefore, she re­ marked that scaling-up was natural where It grew through diffusion or because new resources had been infused. Scahng-up from lessons learnt at the local level and influencing policies was ldentified as the most difficult area. Charity sald in her experience, In terms of challenges in getting programs to scale-up and be replicated, working Wlth institunons the backward societies becomes very difficult. How­ which are structured, have a clear mandate and defined ever, direct ways and at tlffies indirect ways of address­ packages and which meet the terms of the people is ing the political structure always exist. She cited an ex­ likely to yield most success. When lffiplementing projects, ample from Baluchistan, where enrolment of girls in she advised, it is useful to have had the chance to dls­ primary schools had increased from 57,000 to 174~OOO cuss the issue with all the organizanons, to carry out a within a five-year period, despite reslstance from the comprehensive need assessment and develop a relevant Mullahs, due to acceptance of girls' education by the and demand driven program. community. Vertical scaling-up, moving from the community to Referring to the situation in Pakistan, Mehnaz Akbar, the policylevels, was identified as a big challenge. Wmrock TAF Pakistan, mennoned the Shariyat Bill which was International was cited as an example which brought proving to be a new threat to women's empowerment. together key stakeholders from communities and top­ As a large part of external funding comes from funda­ level management oforganizations and joindy developed mentalist sources, a strong fight was necessary in terms needs and identified resources as required. Programs of advocacy and lobbying, especially, when the legal sys­ which begin on the ground on their own, without tem was also very biased against women. The govern­ connecting to the top, almostimmediately find it difficult ment tended to feel threatened by NGOs, as a result of to make a breakthrough. One solution recommended which a NGO Bill designed to controlin-coming funds, was to conduct a participatoryneeds assessment. Interms NGO activities, and especlally women NGOs had been of replication, alliances of persons at all levels who are passed. committed to success could be used to overcome many Speaking of the lack of self-confidence amongst difficulties and obstacles she advised. women and the amount of information which can be tapped from them in rural areas, Aziza Helmy, USAIDI Floor discussion Egypt, shared an incident in Upper Egypt, where during a review mission in a conservative area, starting a dia­ In response to a query posed by Rezaul Haque, logue with women direcdy had been impossible. How­ USAID Bangladesh, on whether any panelist had faced ever, while interviewing men of the area a woman kept a situation wherem vested interest groups, especially re­ responding and correcting the men, as she knew more ligious fundamentahsts, had used or misused rehgion to about the issues raised. Therefore, empowering women oppose women's empowerment programs, Quratu.l is veryinstrumentalin the development process. Carmen stated itwas a commonenoughissue in Pakistan. Speaking supported this statementbypointing to the example that of the years spent in the remote and religiously ortho­ all the Bolivian government chambers now have women dox area of Balucmstan, she spoke of the slow pace of representanves, in contrast to 15 years ago when there change and acceptance ofnew ideas m orthodox societ­ had not been one single woman involved at that deci­ ies. Referring to the importance of the need for front sion-making level. Adding that tradition is a major fac­ line workers to be informed of community reqUlte­ tor, Charity also strongly validated this viewpoint and ments, she said that Wlthout this knowledge working in said she could also cite many similar examples.

-is - Joanne mentioned the issue of the recipient-mental­ Trinidad Magbitang, GTZ Philippines, shared an ex­ ity brought about by donors and agencies which keep perience of the National Government Agency in the donating, thus bringmg about a sense ofdisempowenng Philippines, wruch is attached to the Office ofthe PreSi­ dependency among women. She asked if the external dent. The few women in the office were able to enact a flow of resources perhaps had to be stopped before a law which lightened the burden of women, especially real empowerment process can begm. of those who were in offices. As a result, day-care cen­ Julio Andrews asked the panehsts if they had any ters were estabhshed for mothers m the Department of experience With politiClans trying to manipulate and use Environment and Natural Resources, and currently plans women's empowerment for their own purposes, since it were bemg drawn up where the husbands would take frequently occurred in Nepal. Carmen spoke of a Simi­ turns to baby-sit. Men would also get educated on shar­ lar situation in Bohvia where the word 'empowerment' ing the reproductive role. Trinidad also spoke of ,. the lffiportance of'ownersrup' m development activities. In thiS context, Carmen men­ tioned a law called 'popular partiClpatiOn', estabhshed by the prevIous government of Bohvla. The law had ensured that all mUlliClpahties recelVed a percentage of the national income. The mUnlClpahties could mvest their money and could monitor the mvest­ ment. It had proved a very powerful tool, but, unfortu­ nately It had not been fol­ lowed up by the current gov­ ernment. AZlza shared two mecha­ nisms for women to share ideas and thoughts, do lobby­ in Spanish was translated as 'taking power' wruch the ing and rationalize resources m Egypt: a) at the govern­ government had not hked. Quratulgave an example from ment level, and b) at the donor level. At the government Balucrustan where the Minister for Education had filled level, every two years a National Women's Conference, up 700 vacant teachers' positlon With supporters from headed by the wife ofthe President and compnsmg gov­ his political party dunng a community mobilization cam­ ernment representatlves, NGOs and women and men paign for more female teachers. come together to focus on issues related to women. It is In response to a question from lJJ.a Manandhar, Con­ a venue for women to vOIce theu Views and lobby to get gress Trade Union Nepal, on how women in the orga­ their requirements accomphshed through the govern­ nized sector, who have jobs as well as the farruly burden ment. The other mechanism is a meeting of donors should handle matters, Carmen agreed that women have involved in gender and development wruch meets every a heavier workload. However, women have to show the month to compare notes, share experiences and seek to society and themselves that they are capable of carrying aVOId duplication of efforts. that burden. Only then would men reahze the benefits The last issue of the session mvolved examples of of empowermentand begm towork togetherWith women. existlng models or interventions bemg used to decrease If women feel they cannot cope individually, they should violence against women. Charity recognized that the hue join groups as the first step to empowermentis the knowl­ between public and private, domestic abuse and public edge that there is someone to rely on. Also, in most acts of crime are very trun. Forces wruch should take credit programs a woman cannot get a loan without the action to stop violence in the home feel it is a domestic collective guarantee of a solidanty group. The minute a issue and they have no business gettlng mvolved mit. woman can get an mdlvidual loan, she becomes really However, a lot of support has been provided to tram empowered. the police force, particularly m getting them to better

·16 • understand the situation of women, to be supportive and now positive changes can be seen. Carmen added Optional evening that violence against women was very bad in BoliVla. However, presently the situation had improved and session police were attentive to both physical and psychological problems in the home. An important reason for this im­ fter dinnerl an optional session was orgaruzed provement was women's empowerment initiatives, for of presentations by participants to share their now women can talk about Vlolence without fear or A experiences and strategies for women's shame. empowerment. Five presenters each gave an insight ill their programs and current work which provided excellentgrounds for further comparison ofnotes across Arts and Crafts of continents. Gretchen Bloom, Senior Gender Adviser at Empowerment: World Food Program (WFP), Rome who presented first, highhghted WFP's 'Policy Commitments to An exhibition-cum-sale Women: 1996-2000'. She Said that WFP was deeply committed to using its resources in interventions which by 'Maha9uthi' sought to reduce gender related inequalities. For this purpose, she went on to describe five commitments that had been agreed upon: he evening of the second day had been allotted for 'Art and Crafts of Empowerment', an § ProVlde direct access to appropriate and adequate T exlubltlon of handicrafts prepared by disadvan­ food taged and margmahzed people of the Nepalese society, § Take measures to ensure women's equal access to especially women. The marketing NGO Mahaguthi, es­ and full partiCipation in the power structure and tablished in 1994 as a promoter of handicraft business decision making was selected for the confere;;'ce exhibition as it focuses § Take positive action to facilitate women's equal access on the upliftment of the disadvantaged. The exhibition to resources, employment, markets, and trade displayed items such as hand painted silk, silver ware, § Generate and illsseminate gender disaggregated data traditional paperwork, which were much appreciat~dby and information for planning the participants, and the sales were very brisk!! I § and evaluation On display were also 19 paintings by 11 )'Ioung § Improve accountability on actions taken. ha~ Nepali artists from the Srijana Art Gallery, who been Gretchen then showed a short video which por­ working in the garden all afternoon creating their per­ trayed food rehef aid provided by WFP to Sudanese sonal images of women's empowermentin oil and water people of a southern village plagued by war, droughts colors - several of the pieces now adorn the offices of and malnutrition. The Vldeo depicted the role of the partiClpants from around the world. community women who had recently gained power ill managing food illstribution. The question of whether the food reached its destination was overcome when the women managed the distribution process. Also women's vOlces were now heard and they were more empowered as thelr decisions were being accepted by the men of their community. (See Annex 15 - Presenta­ tion by Gretchen Bloom, World Food Program) Discussmgthe severe problems in Pakistan thatwere leading to an increase in women's suffering, and a gen­ der disparity being one of the highest in the world, Mehnaz Akbar of TAP Pakistan stated that discrimi­ nation against women in Pakistan exists in all forms. With high maternal mortality, low female literacy rates, mabil­ ity to report tape, etc., Pakistaru women were not just poor, but they were also VOiceless. Therefore, the Paki­ stan NGO Initiative (PNI) was focusing on:

~·17 • § Non-privileged Girls' Education - supporting both and India are addressing issues such as domestic violence, teachers and students a common problem faced by many South ASian women, § Reproductive Health - conducting studIes on farruly through awareness and coalition building. planrung and proVldIng mformation Another issue bemg addressed by ACILS was § Micro Finance - Doing what other donors were not harassment. In many cases eXiSting laws are not domg, with plans of bringing together donors to implemented. He further sald the problem of women discuss how women could be supported to more hving in squashed and cramped rooms, With unhygieruc influence by access to credIt for income generation. and unsarutary conditions should also be addressed. He concluded by saying that in Pakistan ACILS was working It was pointed out that PNI was collaborating Wlth with lawyers, providing legal serVice as well as 60 other NGO partners in tlus effort and it was hoped msseminating mformation on women's issues. In India, that in the long run PNI would help m bringing forth in collaboration Wlth SAAKSHI, itwas working to create people who would work on and with gender. awareness on issues such as sexual harassment. Aziza Helmy of USAIDjEgypt presented Meanwhile, in Sn Lanka focus was bemglald on rrugrant USAID's new strategy in Egypt and how it was ad­ women workers, providing them mformation and traming dressing gender. Explaining the strategy, she sald it pnor to their departure from the home country for began Wlth defining gender equahty. Data was collected domestic work abroad. (See Annex 17 - Presentation by and analyzed on whether men and women had equal William Conklin, ACILS.) opportunities and Me chances. The identification of ms­ Dr. Shiva H. Achet, Deputy Director, Depart­ parities led to interventions for gender equality such as ment of Soil and Watershed Management, of the girls education, women's Ministry of Agricul­ literacy, technical aSSiS- ture of Nepal pre­ tance for credit and sented a socl0-eco-sys­ trairung, mcome gener­ tern perspective on ating activities, and sup­ women's empowerment port to women headed issues and opporturutles households. Therefore, in mtegrated resource genderwas the crosscut­ management. He fo­ tingissue in the five ma­ cused on the jor objectives of conceptualization of an USAID/Egypt, namely, analytical, sOClo-ecologi­ 1) Population/Health / cal model for exarrurung Nutrition, il) Education, issues and opporturutles iii) Jobs/Economic in integrated resource Growth, iv) EnViron­ management and out- ment and v) Democ- hned a future perspec­ racy. tlve for empowermgwomen in integrated resource man­ The aim of the cross-cutting gender work was that agement. A major issue was sustainability wluch mvolved Egyptian men and women would contribute and benefit the questlon of: i) enhancmg positive change through equally from: 1) Improved quahty of life, 11) Accelerated women's empowerment as a sOClal transformatlon mecha­ economic growth, ill) Pnvate sector led development rusm for mtegrated natural resource management; il) get­ and lV) Promoted trade and investment. (See Annex 16­ tlng full support of women through their institutlons, Presentation by AZlza Helmy, USAID Egypt.) their actlvities and self-help irutlatlves; and 111) the mte­ Presenting the American Center for International gration of women's empowerment in strategies such as Labor Solidarity (ACILS), William Conklin sald itwas resource mobilization, poverty allevlatlon and partlClpa­ a labor rights orgaruzation Wlth a mandate different from tlon of msadvantaged groups. (See Annex 18 - Presenta­ the others. Stating that empowerment is more than ht­ tion by Sluva H. Achet, Nepal.) eracy, economy or power, he asserted that it also stands for freedom of association and freedom for women in Despite the fatigue after a long day, the evening development. seSSion was frwtful and mspmng and most partlClpants Speakmg of the problems faced by women workers, could bag a new idea, concept, method, or Just a new he mentioned thatACILS' programs m Sri Lanka, Pakistan way ofpresenting their programs after the seSSlOn.

• 18· Conference Proceedings Day III

he third and final day took the conference from high-flying vislOns and general issues back to "Back to Earth" the specifics of implementation. The day fo cused on combining the many empowerment he vast wealth of vlsions and experience Tlessons learnedworldwide into relevant and realistic pro­ represented at the conference was applied to real gram designs for the new millenium. In the seSSlOns the T life prograrmmng in the fIrst session "Back to participants were divided into groups by drawing seat Earth". Based on a program design hand out (see Annex lots to ensure that all tables had a mix of participants 19), the groups deslgned programs promoting best em­ with dlverse opinions, backgrounds and countries. powerment practlces. The program goals were stated as increased level of empow­ erment of women and/or the level of gender equity in any country orregion and groups were asked to de­ fIne parameters such as ob­ jectives, results, activities, success critena and means of verifIcation. Suggestions regarding program duration, location and implementing agency were also to be made. Furthermore, groups were asked to give a short description ofthe program as well as a title for it. The groups then transferred their proposed program onto a flip chart paper for presentation in the plenary. The 'lamp-post presenta­ tion' method was again used to share results of the group work. The follow­ ing are "Empowerment program action plans" pre­ pared by the different groups.

·19 • "Empowermentprogram action plans" (Group 1- 4)

Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4 Program Title/Name Targeting the Excluded The Role of Change Scale-up Women's Empowerment Program Improvmg Status of Girls and Women In Empowerment of HIll Women m Nepal Agents m Reaching Margma!lzed Rural Women (WEP) or Power of Women's Empowerm­ Rural CommunitIes ent and Rights

Goal/V1S1on 1 Tncrease Level of empowerment for women 1 Empowerment of Women 1 Increased level of empowerment for 2 Increased eqUIty between sexes 2 Real equa!lty between men and women for women women 2 Increased equIty between 'exes

Target Group Women left out of development due to poverty and moblhty Issues

Location Teral plams of Nepal WEP areas Hill districts In Nepal

Time Frame 5 years (Initial Project Phase) 7 years 10 years Phase I: 2 years oN Phase II' 3 years

Objectives 1 Margmahzed women's access and control 1 Improve environment for Nepalese Wo­ 1 To enable women to determme theIr own 1 Number of women In 2 hill dlstncts over resources men to be m deCISIon-making posmon !lfe-role made capable to Identify and Implement 2 Increased deCISIon-making role WIthIn house­ 2 To enable women to be fully Involved own economIc project hold and community and to partiCIpate In deCISIon making In the 2 Improved access of women m 2 drstn­ 3 Increased women's partlclpatlon/re'ponslbl!­ hves of theIr famlhes and commUnitIes and cts to mformatlOn and knowledge In eco­ Itles In household, on/off-farm activIties communlt1es normc, socIal and legal terms 4 Decrease In domestic VIOlence agamst women 3. To attain men's commitment through active partiCIpation and Involvement with women for common goals

Results 1 Increase hteracy rate among women and men 1 Increased advocacy capabilities of local 1 85% of girls WIll have completed secon­ 1 Well organized groups capable of man­ 2 More women acce5'lng health "evlce, NGOs dary school aging credit and other actlvmes 3 Savings generated 2 Decrease the educational gender gap 2 Women WIll become economICally mde­ 2 Better mformed groups 4 Men and women dlscussmg Issues of VIOlence 3 Increased gender awareness of repro­ pendent 3 EconomIc opportunmes Identified ductive nghts and health ,ervlce 3 Women and men Will share leadership 4 RadIO programs deSIgned roles In the commumty equahty Group 1 ____Group 2 Group 3 Group 4

Activities 1. Irutlatmg non-formal adult education for men 1. Trairung for Nepalses NGOs on advoc­ 1 Mentorshlp programs for girls chtidren Phase I (2 Years) and women acy 2. PartiCIpatory socIal and educational act- 1. Needs assessment - Basehne 2. Developmg alternative commumcatlon med­ 2. Adapt a "one classroom" scheme for Ivitles for chJ1dren, parents and teachers 2 Capacity-bmldlng of groups men+wo- Ium' Theatre, folk plays, mUSIC,songs gtrls on a puot basIs m remote ateas 3 Adult self-educational and literacy pro- men 3. AudIO-VIsual aIds 3 Develop pubhc awareness campaIgns, gram 3. Radto programs 4 SaVIngs goups mcludmg radIo programs!spots m diff­ 4 Local women's co-operatives, savings and 4 Ltteracy and awareness to men and wo- 5 AgrIculture-promoting!strengthemng women's erent languages (In a drama form). credit schemes men (legal, economIc aspects) role In on-farm and off-farm actlvltles 5. Promoting women representatives at local, Phase II (3 Years) 6. Identifying change agents regIOnal, and national level 1 Self-managed credit groups Introduced 7. Base lme sutVeys and managed 8.PRA 2. Vanous radto programs launched - and technology 3 FunctIOnal economIc enterpnse runmng 4. Continuous morutorlng of health staus .~ of women and chtidren

AdditionaIity 1 Collaboratlon!mteractlon WIth HMG 2. Shalng of mformatlon 3. Ut1hzlng HMG resources, e.g. wurung facilities resource people, etc

• Success Criteria N,...,. 1. Men and women attendtng classes 1 Number of advocacy initiatives under­ 1. Percentage of gttl children completing 1. DeclSlon at famtly and commuruty are 2. Women attending meetings to dtscuss VIOlence taken by women NGOs secondary schools chtidren and women frIendly Issues, household responslblhtes 2. Percentage of gttls enrolment In prIm­ 2. Number of women members In co­ 2 Increased decision-makmg of women 3. Women managing saVIngs ary education operatIves 3. At least econOmic opportunities for vill­ 3. Percentage of adults reached by com­ 3. Number of women gamfully employed age Identified by women municatIOn campaIgn 4. Number of women attendtng pubhc 4 Women and children have Improved he­ 4 Contraceptive prevalence rate meetings at dtfferent levels alth and nutr1t1on status by the end of pha­ se II 5 Quahtatlve change m decision made and equIty

Means of verification 1. PRA 1 Women focus groups 1. Penodlc progress reports!bulletlns 1. Focus groups and self-evaluation and 2 Base hne survey 2. Survey studtes 2 PerIOdIC community feedback community evaluation 3. IdentifyIng Indtcators 3 Nepalese Human Development Report 3 Surveys and case studtes 2. Surveys - Gender dtsaggregated data 4. Monitoring and evaluation studtes 4. Fmal projects reports 3. MIS 5 Management mformation system (MIS) 5. Impact evaluation 4 Reports 6. BeneficIarIes Included at every level

Implementing agency National Nepali NGO with PACT, TAF, Local NGOs Existing NGOs and CBOs of the dtstrlcts! * ExtenSIve experIence m rural areas regIOn supporting the self-managed groups * Staff capaCIty * Gender focus * Out reach In rural areas

Back-up support! Medta - ElectrOniC prmt - Journalists External (as necessary as needed) "Empowermentprogram action plans" (Group 5 - 7)

Group 5 Group 6 Group 7

Program Title/~ame Solomon Islands Empowerment Program (SIEP) Durga

Program description GIven women's Sltuatlon tn the Solomon I,lands, the prog­ ram's focus IS on women's socIal, econonuc and pol1t1cal partlClpatlOn and natlonal poltcles that respond to the needs of rural and urban women

Goal/Vision Empowered women wlthtn a harmonIous socIety Harmontous socIety based on the pnnclples of * balance * nurturance * .ecologIcal sustatnablltty * holtsm * splrllualtty

Location 1 Tanahun (MId htlls of Nepal) Solomon Islands South ASIa 2 Western Regton of Nepal 3. MIxed Communttles N N

Time Frame Proposed Phase I: 3-5 years (provtnclal level development) Phase II' 3-5 yeals (natlonal and provtnclal ltnkage)

Objectives 1 Foster environment that empowers women to make decI­ 1. To tncrease women's partlclpatlon tn deClslOn-maktng tn 1. Empowerment of women through an ecological SlOns regardtng theIr own development publtc affairs and the prIvate sector sustatnable society 2. Increase awareness tn famlltes and communttles on the 2 More conducIve poltcy envltonment for women's Importance of women's partlClpa110n tn the development partlClpatlon process at the household and communtty level 3 To Improve women's sohdarlty and organtzatlOn 3 Enable communttles to assess, analyze and take actlon to address gender gap' Long term objecl1ve 1 Increased numbel of effectlve women communtty workers 2 Access to baSIC ,oclal servIces at the communtl1es/ VIllage level 3 Equal partnershIp at all levels 4 Educatlon 5 Health 6 CIVICparttclpal10n 7 ~oodsecunty 8 Economic sustatnablltty 9 EcologIcal balance G!OU~L _~~_g!~~ ~,.. _qrCl..llP7 ~.' __ Results 1 Increased household responsibilities of men (childcare, 1.Improved women's integration into the market system 1.Female commulllty workers cooking, etc) 2. Increased women's access to information 2. Education - Formal/Non formal for Women and 2. Women's continued participation in existing networks! 3. Increased women's participation in local and central girl children mformal groups government. 3. Reproductive health +Mother and Child Health 3. Increase percentage ofgirls completing primary schools = Integrated Program 4. Increased nutritional Status amonggirls under 5. 4. C1V1CPartiCipation * Rights and enforcement of rights for women family * Voting and election 5. Food Security -12 months * Increased yield ofbaSIC food needs met *Good distribution system in place 6. Econotnlc • Women in partnership in creation, control and decision-making of household income!resources 7. Ecological Full respect for use of natural resources (with sMng spiritual base)

Activities 1. Conduct gender analysis at household level 1. Increase employment opportunities for the youth (men 2. Conduct PRA!RRA!appreclative inquiry, needs assessment. and women) 3. Train school staff, village leaders, parents on how to incr­ 2. Increase women's access to quality health services ease girls participation and address gender discrimination 3. Women and youth ministry to implement women's policy In the classroom! curriculum 4. Strengthening the NWC (National Women Council) to 4 IEC (e.g. JHU models and others as identified by com­ be representative and effective In advocating for extension ~ munities) programs for rural areas (food production, health, nutrition, 5. ProVide leadership and advocacy skills training for women FP, etc.) 6 Provide parent education tramlng (including nutrition) for 5. Women's capacity bUIlding to participate In local and. parents! adolescent boys!girls. central government

Success criteria Community has acquired needed support services 1. Increased percentage of rural and urban women at Conduct gender analySIS as a means of verification prOVincial and central government level Demonstrated attitudinal and behaVIOral change at household 2. Increased percentage of women moving from the levels, schools and community levels. labor level to the negotiation level In the market system 3. Increased percentage of women with improved access to extenSIOn services (agriculture, communications, health, etc.) 4. Increased percentage of solidarity groups participating in pol!cy development and implementation Means of verification Conduct gender analysis PRA!RRA!AI Revalidate Implementing Mlmstl)' of PrOVincial Government!USAID!NZAID!NCW agency The awards ceremony was held amongst fanfare and Tailollng the Vision music!! The moderator Arzu Deuba, requested the winrung teams to come up and receive their awards. ollowing reVIew of all the great and imaginative empowerment programs prepared and discussed F at the conference, particlpants once again re­ The pnze for the SECOND RUNNER UP was grouped to reflect upon and short list promising awarded by Namrata Sharma, Nepal to GROUP empowerment practices for the "Good Empowerment NUMBER 8 and the practice Practice Award" during a working lunch. Each table t'ENOUGH TIME AND A REALISTIC was asked to agree on three empowerment practices TIME FRAME FOR SUCCESS" which they thought were so lmportant thatWlthout them empowerment programs ffilght fail.

The prize for the FIRST RUNNER UP was Sharing the Wisdom awarded byTahera Yasmin, Bangladesh to GROUP NUMBER 1 for the practice he three best practices as selected by the groups "INTERVENTION SHOULD BE BUILT were put up on flip charts and presented bnefly INTO A SOCIAL MOVEMENT THAT T in plenary by a rapporteur from each group. ( See CAN GO BEYOND THE PROJECT "Proposals for Three Best Practices".) PHASE". Awards C.,emony Last but not least, "~lka'" the little colored dots used to adorn the the GOOD EMPOWERMENT AWARD 1998 forehead of Nepali women, were dlstnbuted. was presented to GROUP 9 byJanet Bogue, Charge Each participant then millvidually voted for the d'Affaires, US Embassy for the practice three empowerment practices applymg red tlka dots for "CREATING SISTERHOOD LINKAGES LO­ the first preference, black tlka dots for the second CAL, REGIONALAND GLOBAL IS EMPOW­ preference and colored tlka dots for the thud preferred ERING!" practice on the 9 flip charts on display. While the votes were being counted, particlpants checked and corrected a draft address list, reconfumed airline tickets, and made sure to get the hand-outs and information matenals brought and illsplayed in the room. After 20 minutes, the votes were counted.

.24 e Proposals for Three Best Practices

Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 , 1. Theintervention should bwldinto 1. Demand - driven Qiteracy, finance, 1. One classroom school for the girl a social movement that can go micro-enterprise, ~tc.) children in a community place. beyond the project phase, em- 2. Working with local non-govern- 2. Identify supportive men (but not powering both women and men. mental organizations (NGO) in controlling) as spokespersons and 2. Participation ofwomen and men collaboration with commumty advocates for women's rights Jiiht from the conceptualization, based organizations (CBO). Wlthin the community-. ,: design and planning, lffiplemen- 3. Working With groups of local 3. Increased use of media, includ­ tation, monitoring and evaluation women. ing alternative media, for dissemi­ of the project. nating message on women's em­ 3. Build network/linkages with powerment. stakeholders to strengthenlobby­ ing and advocacy to engage ciVIl society.

Group 4 0 0 0 0 Group. 5 0, 00 Gro'up 6 0' 00

1. Mentorsllip program for girls to 1. Male support in empowerment 1. Identify and support female lead­ encourage completion of sec- programs. ers and change agents in commu­ ondary level education. 2. L1nkage between policy making nities to mobilize women to as­ 2. Development of opportunitles and grassroots level. sess, analyze and take action. for empowered women and men 3. Participatory needs assessment 2. Identlfy and support men role within their local communities in and self-monitoring system. models who support gender eq­ order to reduce migration. uity. 3. Actions taken by women's advo­ 3. Llnkages between women's cacy groups to alter policies at groups, government services and national, regional and local gov­ NGOs for sustalnability and ernmentlevels. moving to the next phase of empowerment.

Group 7 c Group 8 '- '0 Group 9 . 1. Women's mobilization and lead- 1. Women's active participatlon at all 1. Create sisterhood linkages, both ership skill development through levels of decision-making. local, regional and global. group formations, l.e. CBOs, 2. Install support mechamsms: na- 2. Women partiCipating ill actiVlsm, SCOs, literacy, sohdarity, etc. tional/local/field; implementor/ leadership and mediatlon/nego­ 2. Engage men as "Agents of planner/participants tiations Change", l.e., for domestic vio- 3. Enough tlme! Realistic time 3. Integration, both vertical and lence, gender issues, legal aware­ frame for success! horizontal, across sectors hnking ness training etc. back to women's groups. 3. Participation of rural women in monitoring and evaluatlon oftar­ gets set by women.

-25 - rapping up the three-day conference, Jane , Nandy of USAID/Nepal thanked all the W Nepali and international participants from 20 veraIl, the conference was rated as a success by different countnes. Jane added that breaking out of the the participants. The drverse background of mould meant getting to the heart of empowerment O the participants, as well as the technical and implementation and empowerment practices. She ex­ logistical organizationwas much appreciated. PartiCIpants pressed her heartfelt desire that participants would go commended the innovative workshop methodologres back themselves better empowered and adopt and used during the conference. Participants expressed hope adapt the promising practIces identified in new and bet­ that such a conference could be repeated in a couple of ter programs strategically focusing on women world years' time with the same, as well as addltlonal, wide. partiClpants.Some of the comments were: "EXCELLENT CONFERENCE in every respect. Thanks a Ii -, million to USAID/Nepal, and to everyone who participated in making it happen." "INCREASE l\.fEN'S parucipation too in such conference ill n her doslOg remarks, Janet Bogue, Charge d' future." Affaires, US Embassy, stressed the fact that she "MORE PAPER presentation and group discussion on I thought the best outcome ofthe conference would speCIfic Issues." be to take the inSIghts from the conference and use them However, participants also commented that the to expand, refine and develop efforts for women's conference was at times tIring, especially with regards to empowerment. Tills would take a lot of perseverance. the field tnp and the optIonal everung seSSlOns. It was However, it would also bring a lot of reward and satIs­ polnted out that it was unfair to the participants who faction. had worked hard to prepare their presentation to not Janet hoped that the 1Oteraction ofthe last three days have a full audience. Therefore, more time should have and the field trips hadbeenillSpiring forall the participants. been allocated to presentations by participants. Some Quoting Aga Khan, "If you can only afford to educate partICIpants would have liked more men to take part in one child, educate the girl chIld" she urged all the the conference, and others commented that local participants to share their knowledge with others implementing NGOs should have been present as their working to empower women. She reiterated the absence seemed to leave a vacuum ill the conference. Importance of the promising practice of creating Another participant suggested that more time should sisterhood at the local, regional and the global level as have been devoted to explaIning WEP as it would have she felt it was the best way forward for women to forge cut down on many ofthe questIons which took so much ahead towards power, and concluded that the conference time. The chat room dunng the HARDtalk seSSlOn, which had been one such forum for creatIon of sisterhood did not attract any of the women-focused audiences linkages. inVlted, was also pOlnted to as having been more of a distraction. In a wholesome statement, one paruapillillt aptly summed up the good wishes with which parucipants left Kathmandu to return to theirwork in the field ofwomen's empowerment as follows: "Such a conference will only be frwtfullf we senously take the conclusions to heart and put them into practice. Otherwise, such expensive ,n order to ensure that all the participants could conference would be just an exploitation in the name of commurucate and keep in touch ill the future, the the poor and recreation for the so-called development I, corrected contact address list ofthe participants was activists". And so, after three intensive days, participants clistributed to all participants togetherwith the third and went away Wlth the strong intent to take as seriously as final issue of EmpowerpOlnt and the written up notes possible the lessons learned, new knowledge shared, and from the day's deliberatwns at the warm and cozy conclusions reached to make headway for empowerment reception hosted byJanet Bogue at her residence. 10 the new millenium.

·26· Annex 1 The lOad to the conference - The preparations

ased on an open tendering process, NEPCON 2. Setting up a conference Pvt. Ltd. was selected by USAID/Nepal to B proVlde administrative" IOgJ-stical and techrucal secretariat support for the conference. SAMANATA - Institute for Social and Gender Equality was in turn sub­ A conference secretanat of 1-3 staff was set-up to contracted by NEPCON to provide professional and plan and prepare the IOgJ-stic aspects of the conference techmcal support to the conference. After several and serve as a customerinterface regardinginformation, consultations and discussions between all parties involved, travel schedules, visas, registration of participants, the conference details were finalized. Some ofthe major pnnting of materials and organizing all the other pre-conference activities undertaken were: administrative details. During the conference, the venue hotel staffed a 1. Prepare a conference web site travel desk to serve participants.

A conference web site was developed by 3. Press and media SAMANATA, NEPCON and USAID/Nepal. The web site, WWVl.south-asia.com/empower-conf, comprised Reputed press and media of the host country, as detaIls of the conference, such as the conference well as 111ternational str111gers were contacted to ensure rationale, regJ-stration details, travel 111formation prior to that111formation about the conference was disseminated arrival 111 Nepal, and an introduction to the case study nationally, regJ-onally and internationally. A total of 16 on the Women's EmpowermentProgram "BreakingNew Nepali journalists and 11 international stringers as well Ground". Simultaneously, announcement on the as the Nepali TeleVlsion were invited for the conference conference was also clrculated via different networks. (See Annex 22 - List of national and international The conference web site had links to various other home journalists invited and in attendance). A press desk was pages on the web, i.e., Lonely Planet's Kathmandu, Visit set up to serve their specific requests, and press tables Nepal 1998, Soaltee Crowne Plaza and Nepal online. were proVlded 111 the conference room.

-27 - ·28 • Annex 2 List of Participants and Add,esses

SARAH NEWHAIL HEDWIGA MBUYA Pact USAID USA TANZANIA 1901 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington DC. 20006 p. 0. Box 9130, Dar Es Salaam [email protected] [email protected] T:+1-202-466-5666 T:+255-51-117537/43 F:+1-202-466-5669 F:+255-51-116559 LYN A. MESSNER DIANA BRITON PUTMAN PEACE CORPS USAID USA TANZANIA 1111 20th Street, NW p. 0. Box 9130, Dar Es Salaam Washington DC 20256 [email protected] [email protected] T:+255-51-117537/43 T:+ 1-202-692-2654 F:+255-51-116559 F:+1-202-692-2651/ 2601 PANPILAI KITSUDSAENG CHRISTINA C. RAWLEY Save the Children UK, Regional Office USAID THAILAND USA 99/5 Samahan, Sukhumuit 5014, Soi 4 1000 16th street, NW Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110 Suite 810, Washington DC, 20036 [email protected] [email protected] T:+66-2-2517851 T:+1-202-739-0l02 F:+66-2-2550754 F:+1-202-955-7936 ROWSHAN AKHTER KUSUMASTUTI USAID USAID BANGLADESH INDONESIA American Embassy, J1. Merdeka Selatan 3, Baridhara, Dhaka Jakarta [email protected] [email protected] T:+880-2-883648 T:+62-21-3442211 F:+880-2-883647 F:+62-21-3806694 BITHI PANDIT WILLIAM CONI<:LIN USAID ACILS BANGLADESH SRI LANKA USAID/Dhaka 9 Kinross Ave., Colombo [email protected] [email protected] T:+880-2-884700 T:+94-1-580-080 F:+880-2-883648 F:+94-1-593-123 DIANA FINK UPALA DEVI BANARJEE USAID ACILS BANGLADESH INDIA USAID/Dhaka M-47 (1 st FIr) Saket, New Delhi [email protected] [email protected] T:+880-2-884700 T:+91-11-6966177 F:+880-2-883648

·29· REZAULHAQUE TRINIDAD MAGBITANG USAID GTZ BANGLADESH PHILIPPINES USAID/Dhaka Centre Alfaro cor, Herrara Sts., Marula [email protected] [email protected] T:+880-2-884700 T:+63-2-81-8-9243 F:+880-2-883648 F:+63-2-815-3164 L. R. JOSHI CARMEN VELASCO WORLD VISION PRO MUJER INDIA BOLIVIA 12-13-459 Street # 1 Calle 9 # 455 ObraJes, La Paz Tarnaka, Hyderabad [email protected] [email protected] T:+591-2-784711 T:+91-40-7019594 F:+591-2-786804 F:+91-40-7017029 ZO RANDRIAMARO CAROLYN SlOTA USAID PEACE CORPS MADAGASCAR SOLOMON ISLAND USAID/Madagascar, EOB. 5253, Antanananvo C/- U.S. Peace Corps, Box 547, Honiara [email protected] [email protected] T:+261-20-22-25489 T:+677-21613 F:+261-20-22-34883 F:+677-21227 NAGENDRA E SINGH PATRICIA FACCIN ASEED INT'L TELECOM. UNION INDIA SWITZERLAND 59 A/2 Kalusarai Market, New Deihl 16 Place des Nations, B.E 20, 1211 Geneva 20 [email protected] [email protected] T:+91-11-686-1289 T:+41-22-730-5489 F:+91-11-651-3892 F:+41-22-730-5778 RUENGRAWEE KETPHOL AZIZA M. HEL.MY THE ASIA FOUNDATION USAID THAILAND EGYPT Sibunruang 2 Bldg. 7th Fir. 1/7 Convent Road, American Embassy, Bangkok 10500 5 Latin Amenca, St. Garden City, Calro [email protected] [email protected] T:+66-2-233-1644/7 T:+20-2-357-3972 F:+66-2-237-7011 F:+20-2-357-3217 JOANNE SPICEHANDLER CHARITY NJOKI KABUTHA Int'l Center for Research on Women WINROCK INTERNATIONAL USA KENYA 1717 Mass. Ave. NW SUlte 302, Washmgton DC , 20006 Nairobl, Kenya [email protected] [email protected] T:+1-202-797-0007 T:+254-2-711590 F:+1-202-797-0020 F:+254-2-712839 TAHERA YASMIN GRETCHEN BLOOM OXFAM WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME (WFP) H. Q. BANGLADESH ITALY 6/8 Sir Syed Ahmed Road Mohammadpur, VIA CESARE GIULlO, VIOLA 68- 70 Rome Block A, Dhaka [email protected] [email protected] T:+39-6-6513-2766 T:+880-2-816157 F:+39-6-6513-2817 F:+880-2-813198

·30. QURATULAIN BAKHTHEARI MUI

• 31 • ISHWORl BHATIARAI CHARULATA PRASADA Ministry for Women and Social Welfare UNDP NEPAL NEPAL Singha Durbar, Kathmandu Po. Box 107, Pulchowk, Kathmandu T:+977-1-241465 [email protected] F:+977-1-241516 T:+977-1-523200 GEETA MAIYA BALLA F:+977-1-523991 WOMEN DEVELOPMENT DIVISION DRONA K. C. NEPAL NEPAN Ministry of Local Development, Kathmandu NEPAL T:+977-1-522050, F:+977-1-521214 Thapathali, PO. Box 3791, Kathmandu CHRlSTA SKERRY N [email protected] CEDPA T:+977-1-227471 NEPAL ANJALI PRADHAN CEDPA, Gairidhara, Kathmandu UNICEF [email protected] NEPAL T:+977-1-427739 P 0. Box 1187, Kathmandu F:+977-1-421696 [email protected] NAMRATA SHARMA T:+977-1-523200 CENTRE FOR MICRO FINANCE F:+977-1-527280 NEPAL GABRlELE REICHENBACH Po. Box 2959, Baluwatar, Kathmandu GTZ [email protected] NEPAL T:+977-1-414430 P 0. Box 1475, Kathmandu F:+977-1-413256 [email protected] JILL UMBACH T:+977-1-418979 CECI MILU SHREE SHAKYA NEPAL GTZ Po. Box 2959, Baluwatar NEPAL [email protected] P 0. Box 1457, Kathmandu T:+977-1-414430 [email protected] F:+977-1-413256 T:+977-1-523230 ALKA R. RlJAL ISHARA MAHAT CENTRE FOR MICRO FINANCE CANADIAN COOPERATION OFFICE NEPAL NEPAL Po. Box 2959, Baluwatar P 0. Box 4574, Lazlffipat, Kathmandu [email protected] [email protected] T:+977-1-414430 T:+977-1-415193 F:+977-1-413256 F:+977-1-410422 BHARATI SILWAL GIRl CHANDRlKATHAPA UNDP EUROPEAN COMMISSION OFFICE NEPAL NEPAL Po. Box 107, Pulchowk, Kathmandu ECO, Kathmandu [email protected] [email protected] T:+977-1-523200 T:+977-1-429445 F:+977-1-523991 F:+977-1-423541

·32· RABI CHITRAKAR JULIO A. ANDREWS FREELANCER THEASIA FOUNDATION NEPAL NEPAL 2 Kh/111, Dillibazar, Kathmandu EO. Box 935, Kathmandu N [email protected] [email protected] T:+977-1-419280 T:+977-1-410044 F:+977-1-415881 JOANNE HALE USAID PANCHA KR. MANANDHAR NEPAL USAID USAID/Kathmandu, P. O. Box 5653 NEPAL [email protected] USAID/Kathmandu, Eo.Box 5653 T:+977-1-270144 [email protected] F:+977-1-272357 T:+977-1-270144 LUZ WEEKS F:+977-1-272357 Rural Water Supply & Sanitation Fund ANNE PENISTON Development Board (RWSSFDB) USAID NEPAL NEPAL c/o UNDP, E 0. Box 107, Kathmandu USAID/Kathmandu, EO. Box 5653 [email protected] [email protected] T:+977-1-414529 T:+977-1-270144 F:+977-1-410761 F:+977-1-272357 RAJJU MAlLA BARBARA ABBENTHEREN CANADIAN COOPERATION OFFICE GTZ/Food for Work NEPAL NEPAL EO. Box 4574, Kathmandu EO. Box 1457,Kathmandu [email protected] [email protected] T:+977-1-415193 T;+977-1-521419 F:+977-1-410422 F:+977-1-523345 JON SILVERSTONE MANA KR. THAPA WORLD EDUCATION RWSSFDB NEPAL NEPAL EO. Box 937, Kathmandu EO. Box 12414, Kathmandu [email protected] [email protected] T:+977-1-422385 T:+977-1-414529 F:+977-1-415303 F:+977-1-410761 INDIRA KOIRALA JANE NANDY Institute for Integrated Development Studies USAID NEPAL NEPAL P. 0. Box 2254, Kathmandu USAID/Kathmandu, E O. Box 5653 [email protected] [email protected] T:+977-1-478930 T:+977-1-270144 F:+977-1-470831 F:+977-1-272357 SUMAN RIMAL GAUTAM MARCIA ODEll WINROCKINTERNATIONAL PACT NEPAL NEPAL EO. Box 1312, Kathmandu EO. Box 5367, Kathmandu [email protected] [email protected] T:+977-1-254687 T:+977-1-429483 F:+977-1-262904 F:+977-1-410473

.33 • LILAMANANDHAR AVA SHRESTHA NEPALTRADE UNION CONGRESS CONSULTANT NEPAL NEPAL Tinthana-3, Nalkap, Kathmandu 3-396, Shanta Bhawan [email protected] P o.Box 6319, Lalitpur T:+977-1-273999 T:+977-1-526499 F:+977-1-272205 F:+977-1-526499 PRAMILA GHIMIRE SABINA PANTH WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME Pact NEPAL NEPAL P O. Box 107, Kathmandu Po. Box 5367, Kathmandu [email protected] c/o [email protected] T:+977-1-523200 T:+977-1-429483 F:+977-1-524101 F:+977-1-41 0473 LAKSHMAN K. GAUTAM CHERYL HOFFMANN FAO USAID NEPAL NEPAL FAO Representatlve Office, Kathmandu P.o. Box 5653, Kathmandu [email protected] [email protected] T:+977-1-523239 T:+977-1-270144 F:+977-1-526358 F:+977-1-272357 K1SAN DEVI MANANDHAR AVA DARSHAN SHRESTHA RWSSFDB SAMANATA NEPAL NEPAL Po. Box 12414, LaZlmpat, Kathmandu P 0. Box 2810, Kathmandu [email protected] [email protected] T:+977-1-414529 T:+977-1-535597 F:+977-1-410761 F:+977-1-221395 LENE HANSEN ARZU RANA DEUBA USAID SAMANATA NEPAL NEPAL P. O. Box 5653 P 0. Box 13205, Rabl Bhawan, Kathmandu Kathmandu [email protected] [email protected] T:+977-1-270144 T:+977-1-535597 F:+977-1-272357 F:+977-1-255565 NANCY LANGWORTHY RITA THAPA USAID SAMANATA/TEWA NEPAL NEPAL Po. Box 5653, P 0. Box 11, Lalitpur Rabi Bhawan Kathmandu [email protected] [email protected] T:+977-1-535597 T:+977-1-270144 F:+977-1-531022 F:+977-1-272357 SAROJTHAKURJHA KRISHNA PATHAK GTZ ACTIONAID NEPAL NEPAL po. Box 1457, PO. Box 6257, Kathmandu Kathmandu [email protected] [email protected] T:+977-1-410929 T:+977-1-521908 F:+977-1-419718 F:+977-1-523345

·34· Annex 3

Conference Pro9ram _

• 35· Day 1: Monday, 14 December 1998 Details on the sessions:

8:30 - 9:00 Registration The VIVIdlllauguratlon multlmedia show called "Images of Empowerment" fearures the 9'00 - 9:50 Inauguration: current and emerglllg new Me cond1tlons for women III rural Nepal. Today at 9:30.

WEP Today IS a presentatlon of the strucrure and content of the Women's Empower­ Welcome byJoanne Hale, MissIon Dltector, USAID/Nepal ment Program (WEP) III Nepal. Through snapshots and VIdeo chps from the field, Cruef of Party for PACT Nepal, Dr. MarCIa Odell and Representatlve of The ASIaFoundatlon Opening remarks byJanet Bogue, Charge d' Affaltes, US Enbassy, (TAF) Juho A. Andrews presented the lessons learnt on wruch WEP ISbased as well as the Kathmandu opporrurutles and challenges of startlng an lntegrated empowerment program Today at 10:30. Keynote speech by Hon. Meena Pandey, Miruster of State for Women and SOCIalWelfare, Nepal Field Trips Chitwan District "Images of Empowerment" - a multlmed1a show A 30 mmute fught to three lowland farlll1ng villages m Chltwan DIstrIct where two new 9:50 "What's it all about?" Context byJane Nandy, Team Leader for WEP women's savmgs and cred1t cooperatlves and a Grameen Bankwill present some of Women's Empowerment Strategic Objectlve, USAID,/Nepal the dIfferences that group membershIp, saVIngs, access to credit, and estabhshment of lll1cro-enterpnses have made m theIr hves. AppreClatlve Planrung and Actlon (APA) ISan 10:10 Tea and Coffee - and the newsletter "Empowerpoint" Important new tool for llltroducmg empowerment, hteracy and busmess skills traJ.n1ng, wruch ISJust about to start. Departure December 14 at 11:45 am from the hotel, return • I 10:30 "WEP today" -A presentatlon on empowerment In practlce by Dr. l.iJ approximately at 18:00. 0- Mama Odell, Pact, and JulIO A. Andrews, TAF • I 11:30 Gettlng ready for the field Rupandehi District

1200 - 19:00 Inroads to rural Nepal: FIeld trips to the countrysIde A 50 mmute fught to two trad1tlonallowland farmmg villages m Rupanderu DIstrict where a new WEP women's vJllage SOCIetyand a Grameen Bank group will present the ways m 19 30 Dinner and cultural show - The Sherpa HIghlands wruch group membersrup, saVIngs,and mvestrnent of cred1t m productlve hvestock ralsmg and serVIces llllmproVlng theIr econOlll1Cslruatlon. Also here, APA emerges as an Impor­ 21:00 Optional evening session to share empowerment expenences tant tool m mtroducmg the empowerment hteracy course wruch IS startmg shortly De­ parture December 14 at 13:00 from the hotel, return approximately 19:30.

Nuwakot District

A one hour bus nde to the hill VIllage of Kakam m Nuwakot DistrIct, where mem­ bers of two women's savmgs and cred1t groups will present how access to savmgs and credIt, busmess hteracy, skills tralrung and on-farm lll1cro-enterpnses has led to more econOlll1C empowerment for the women and hIgher household lllcome. Sdf­ assessment and peer based capacIty bulid1ng are some of the tools emergmg as Important m thIS process. Departure December 14 at 12:30 from the hotel, return approximately 17:30. Day 2: Tuesday, 15 December 1998 Details of the sessions:

Feeding back impressions - Let's have your pomt of Vlew!Based on the WEP case study 5:30 Optional bus nde to see sunnse at Nagarkot village and the presentations on WEP In the field and from the podmm, groups of 8-10 partiCI­ pants will discuss key issues related to the content, structure, plans and lessons learnt of 8:30 - 8:45 Good morning and introduction to group work WEP and present three recommendations to the lffiplementing team. Today at 8:45-12:30.

8:45 -12:15 "Feeding back impressions". Group DiscuSSlOns on key Issues of Flying high: Visions. Leaving the specifics ofthe Nepal program, visions of a future world WEP where women are empowered will brmg a broader perspective of the how's and what's of empowerment. PartiCIpants from three dlfferent continents will share their hopes, dreams 12:15 -12:30 Summing up. Wrap-up on WEP byJane Nandy USAID/Nepal and visions of a more empowered world, and the Nepali theater group Sarvanam will present the empowerment drama "BreakIng New Ground". 12:30 -13:30 Lunch HARDtalk - Food for thought for the InqU1sitive.An International panel of four experts 13:30 - 14:00 "Flying High: - VislOn of an empowered world" by partiCIpants Including Carmen Velasco from Pro Mujer In BollVla, Chanty Kabutha from the Women's LeadershIp Networkm Kenya, QuratulAmBakhteari from Pakistan and Taheera Yasmeen 14:30 - 15:00 "Breaking New Ground". -A play by Sarvanam Theatre Ghroup from Saptagram Nari of Bangladesh will dlscuss the intricate challenges facing empower­ ment implementation m future. The dlscusslOn whIch ISopen to everyone through micro­ (.N• ---.] 15:00 - 15:30 Tea and chat - and the newsletter Empowerpoint phones In the conference hall,_e-mail, fax and an mternet chatroomwill focus onthree issues: • strategies for linking the multiple l1lterventions needed to achieve empowerment; the para­ 15:30n - 17:00 HARDtalk - an interactive panel on the challenges of Implementing dox of specla1lzed Implementers and the need for multi sector programs; and how to empowerment program master the demands of scale and replicabillty. The panel IS moderated by consultant to ICRW Joanne Spicehandler, a specialist in management of farruly plannmg and repro­ 17:00 - 22:00 Arts and Crafts of Empowerment - an exhibition ductive health programs worldWlde. Today at 15:30-17:00.

19:30 Festive dinner Time out for Arts and Crafts of Empowerment. Individual members of the 'Fair Trade Groups of Nepal', whIch is a network of marketing and business development, NGOs and compames fOCUSIngon production and trade ofhandlcrafts made by women, will display their products at this exhibition. This exhibition will provide an opportunity to sample some of the exquiSIte crafts of the kIngdom. Today at 17:00 - 22:00 - So do go see before or after dlnner. Day 3: Wednesday, 16 December 1998 Detail of the sessions:

Gettlng back to work, the vast wealth of VISIons, expenence and field realities repre­ 5:30 Optional bus rIde to see sunnse at Nagarkot village sented at the conference will be app11ed m the Back to Earth sessIon. Groups of 8 - 10 partlClpants will combme the many empowerment lessons learned worldwide mto rel­ 8:30 - 8:45 Introduction to group work evant and rewstic program deSIgns for the new millennium. Goals, results, actlvitles, suc­ cess mdtcators and theIr venficatlon methods wIll be descnbed m 'actlon deSIgns for 8:45 - 11:00 "Back to Earth" - Group on deslgrung empowerment programs good empowerment programs' to be presented m plenary. Today at 8.45 - 12.30

11:00 -12:30 Presentations of empowerment program actlon plans TIme for Talionng the V1S1onto review all the great, less successful, untested and prom­ 1S1ngpractlces of empowerment presented and dtscussed at the conference. At a workmg 12:30 -13:30 "Tailoring the Vision". A workmg lunch on protnlsmg practices lunch, groups of 8 -10 participants will debate and select - among the practlces descnbed and deSIgned - three 'candtdates for graduatlon, three practlces whIch to the groups 13:30 - 15:00 "Sharing the Wisdom - breaking Fresh Ground" - Presentatlons seem so 'promlsmg' that they are short-11sted for the "Good Empowerment Practlce of the protnlsmg empowerment practlces Identlfied. Award". Today at 12.30 - 13.30.

15:00 - 15:30 Tea, coffee while chosingyour favourite practices. Finally, the plenary meets to Share the WIsdom of the selected practlces from the groups at 12.30 - 13.30. 15:30 - 16:00 "Award ceremony". - Electlon of the three best empowerment

<>J practlces for the new millennium And - after a thtnk break - to vote In the Awards ceremony for the wmners and runners up O'J among the short-listed empowerment practlces. We hope that the conference can adopt 16:00 - 16:15 Wrapping up by Jane Nandy, USAID/Nepal and present a prlOntlzed 11stof recommended practices for further Implementatlon of empowerment programs. Today at 15.30 - 16.00. 16:15 - 16:30 Closing remarks by Janet Bogue, Charge d' Affaires, US Embassy And to top It all up, the Charge d' Affmes of the US Embassy m Kathmandu, Janet 16:30 - 17:00 Networking and farewell. The final Issue of Empowerpolt Bogue will host a receptlon at her residence for the partlClpants of the conference at 18.30. 18:30 - 20:00 Reception for all participants hosted by Janet Bogue, Charge d' Affalres, US Embassy Annex 4

LIST OF OTHER ANNEXES

Annex 4 Welcome speech by Joanne Hale, Director, USAID/Nepal

Annex 5 Keynote speech by Hon. :Mrs. Meena Pandey, Minister of State for Women and Social Welfare, Nepal

Annex 6 Opening remarks byJanet Bogue, Charge d'Affaires, US Embassy

Annex 7 Women's empowerment program context by Jane Nandy, Team Leader, USAID/Nepal

Annex 8 Background paper on WEP and handouts

Annex 9 EmpowerPoint Newsbulletins

Annex 10 'Women Economic Empowerment - Focus and Strategies' - Presentation by Dr. Nagendra Singh, Indifl.

Annex 11 Suggested key issues for WEP discussion

Annex 12 Empowerment vision by Zo Randriamaro, USAID Madagascar

Annex 13 Synopsis of the play 'Breaking New Ground"

Annex 14 Presentation on Pro Mujer by Carmen Velasco, Bolivia

Annex 15 'WFP Policy Commitments to Women' - Presentation by Gretchen Bloom, World Food Program

Annex 16 'Examining USAID/Egypt's Program throu~J a Gender Lens' - Presentation by Aziza Helmy, USAID Egypt \

Annex 17 Different Perspectlves on Empowerment of Women' - Presentation by William Conklin, ACILS

Annex 18 'Women Empowerment Issues and Opportunities in integrated Resource Management: A socio-

ecosystem Perspective' - Presentation by Shiva H. Achet, Nepal I

Annex 19 Handout on empowerment program design

Annex 20 Status on Women in Nepal

Annex 21 Newspaper Articles on the Conference

Annex 22 Ltst ofnational and international journalists invited and in attendance

• 39.

FAX ORDER FORM .. FOR CONFERENCE ANNEXURES

" To: Women's Empowerment Program USAID/Nep~Kathmandu FaxNo: (+9771)272357 .. From: Name ------Complete MailingAddress:

•

] Annex 1 ­ 'Theroad to the conference' - Thepreparations ] Annex 2 List ofparticipants and contact addresses ] Annex 3 ­ Conf~enceprogrillll ] Annex 4 ­ Welcome speech byJoanne Hale, Director, USAlDINepal ] Annex 5 - Keynote speech byHon. Mrs. Meena Pandey, :M:tr:uster of State for Women and Social Welfare, Nepal · ] Annex 6 ­ Operungremarks byJanetBogue, Charge d'Affaires, US Embassy ·• ] Annex 7 - Women's empowermentprogram context byJane Nandy, Team Leader, · USAlD/Nepal • ] Annex 8 EmpowerPoInt Newsbulletins " ] Annex 9 ­ Background paper on WEP and handouts • ] Annex 10­ 'Women Econoffilc Empowerment - Focus and Strategies' - Presentation by Dr. Nagendra Singh, India ·• ] Annex 11­ Suggested key issues for WEP discusslOn •· .. ] Annex 12­ EmpowermentVision by Zo Randnamaro, USAlD Madagascar · ] Annex 13­ Synopsls ofthe play 'Breakmg New Ground" ] Annex 14- Presentation on Promises by CarmenVelasco, Bolivia ] Annex 15 - 'WFP Pohcy Commitments to Women' - Presentation by Gretchen Bloom, World Food Program .. [] Annex 16 - 'ExaminingUSAIDIEgypt's Progrillll through a Gender Lens' - Presentation by • Azlza Helmy, USAlD Egypt • [] Annex 17 - Different Perspectives on Empowerment of Women' - Presentation byWilliam " Conkhn, ACILS , • ] Annex 18 - 'Women Empowerment Issues and Opportunities ill integrated Resource Management: A soclO-ecosystem ~· Perspective' - Presentation byShiva H. Achet, Nepal ] Annex 19 - Handout on empowerment program desigtl ] Annex 20 - Status on Women ill Nepal • · ] Annex 21 - NewspaperArticles on the Conference ] Annex 22 - List ofnational and international journalists Invited and In attendance!

• Please provide me a copy of the above checked annexures. Thank you. • • You can also orderthe annexures by email to: Bhuvank.c.@usai,d.gov " ·• •· • •• .. •