Rural Women’s Development and Unity Center (RUWDUC) Nepal is a nonprofit organization that supports rural development programs in environmental conservation, health care, and women’s empowerment throughout the far-western region of Nepal. We discussed the organization’s exciting 2023 initiatives in-depth with RUWDUC’s Executive Director, Kamal Rawal, and Population Connection’s Senior Analyst, Hannah Evans. Hannah traveled with Kamal to several of RUWDUC’s project sites this past November and shared stories, photos, and videos from their trip together. Kamal discussed the scope of RUWDUC’s work in collaboration with Population Connection, especially following our newly expanded partnership in 2023.
Learn more about our partnership with RUWDUC here!
Mr. Kamal Rawal is youth emerging leader from the remote districts in Nepal. He has been working in the sectors of women empowerment, youth mobilization, child right and protection, access to justice, education, health and governance. Currently, he is engaged in Rural Women’s Development and Unity Centre (RUWDUC) as the Executive Director. Mr. Rawal has been coordinating in raising the issues of remote Far west Province in Nepal. He has been doing advocacy related with women’s economic empowerment, child rights and education, access to justice and services, etc.
Hannah speaks to college and university classes throughout the year—in 2022, she spoke to nearly 100 classes!—and moderates many of our virtual events. She also cultivates partnerships between Population Connection and international NGOs working on population, health, and environment (PHE) programming. Before joining Population Connection’s staff, Hannah worked as an adjunct professor of Women’s Studies and taught classes on gender, science, and feminist theory. She has non-profit experience working as a program developer for sustainable agriculture and public health programs in Honduras and Panama and has worked as a researcher studying food security issues throughout Southern California. Hannah holds a BA in Environmental Policy and Natural Resource Conservation and Political Science and a Master’s in Political Ecology from San Diego State University, where her research focused on sustainability labeling and ethical consumption between the United States and Nicaragua.
How is Population Connection supporting RUWDUC?
Population Connection has supported 32 families affected from flood through RUWDUC. Also, Population Connection supported in reestablishing the community based flood early warning system which supports in disseminating the flood information in the downstream communities. Also, the Women Empowerment Centres have been supported for the sustainability approach. The Population Connection and RUWDUC have signed contractual agreement to implement Girls Education project which will address the issues of Chhaupadi Practice, develop Leadership skills Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Program to Address Equity, Girls Education, Social Determinants, Gender and Human Rights in Nepal.
Can you address the inadequacy of public schools and technical training efforts in Nepal?
Lack of subject teachers is one of the reason for the poor show of the students. Large numbers of public schools lack subject teachers mainly in technical subjects.
Do you have any lessons to share on the impact of climate change on the health of women in Nepal?
In Nepal, vulnerability and adaptive capacity were firmly shaped by the structural inequality of gender, caste/ethnicity, and age. People’s experiences and risk perceptions varied by different adaptive capacity, including location, economic status, educational levels, and access to information and technology. Vulnerable people, including poor women and lower caste/minor indigenous groups, struggle with on-going economic crises other than climatic changes. Unlike biased views, some vulnerable people resisted against climatic and economic crises with their indigenous knowledge and networks. In the context of climatic changes, gendered responsibilities, space, and access to resources changed with women’s decision-making power and limited control over resources exacerbated.
While many men were free from climatic and economic risks due to their migration or engagement in labor work, women left at home took double responsibilities and were still exposed to both risks. Poor uneducated women particularly suffered from food shortage and financial burdens. It has been observed that without transforming unequal power relations, vulnerable men and women will fell into further deficit. The climate adaptation policies that fail to challenge unequal power relations in everyday life may exacerbate the existing structural inequality and generate long-term food insecurity problems. This dissertation calls for urgency that policy makers recognize and integrate the actual implications of gender and climate change.
How do you hope RUWDUC’s programs expand in the next few years?
RUWDUC has developed Five Years Strategic Plan (2021 – 2025) considering the vision, mission, goals of the organization. RUWDUC also follows Community Need based approach considering the Sustainable Development Goal.
Have you experienced the impacts of climate change in your community (intense heat waves, droughts, floods, etc.)?
Yes. The Basin level communities on RUWDUC’s project area mostly face floods, fire in the jungle.
How is your organization adapting to climate impacts in your community?
In what capacity do you collaborate with the local, provincial, or federal government in your program planning?
You work in western Nepal, what are the societal or religious customs that create barriers in your work?
Is abortion legal in Nepal?
Abortion law in Nepal: The pregnancy must be under 12 weeks of gestation. If the woman is above 16 years of age, she does not require the permission of her husband or her guardian. In the case of rape or incest, the pregnancy must be under 18 weeks of gestation.
Through our Global Partners program, Population Connection supports a growing number of grassroots organizations around the world working to increase access to education, public health and family planning services. Their…
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