Helping Low Caste Women Access Credit in Nepal

In the only plain of Nepal, the culture in Terai is notorious for dowry, purdah and caste systems that cause for the low status for poor women, and problems such as wife beating. Over 75% of women are illiterate. Most girls marry at age 17. Women lack access to family planning and reproductive health services. Many births are spaced too close together. Over 30% of pregnancies are unwanted. Most women lack income to pay for health services, and get into debt.

This income generation project, which costs $20,000 to run, will provide training and capital for women's savings and credit groups; increase % of women obtaining pre-natal health care and assistance at birth; provide couples with access to family planning and reproductive health services. Through this project, marginalized communities can meet basic needs and sustain an equitable, inclusive development process with adequate access to health.

To learn more and/or contribute to their project fund, please click HERE, or contact Jagdish Ghimire, Area Representative for World Neighbors, P.O. Box 916, Kathmandu, Nepal. Tel: 011 977 1-546688.