To contribute to strengthening governance at the local level through increased women's participation and increased advocacy skills and capacity of civil society groups

The restoration of democracy in 1990 and subsequent legislation in Nepal gave greater authority, resources and responsibilities to local government bodies, municipalities and village and district development committees. In local government, 20% of seats are now reserved for women. Despite these moves, however, transparency and accountability in local government is lacking, and participation of the community, particularly women and disadvantaged groups is limited.

Nevertheless, there are opportunities for civil society groups to play a stronger role. With skills training and capacity building, they have the potential to advocate on behalf of the public and mobilize constituencies for change. Furthermore, women have the potential to play a stronger role in influencing decisions and advocating for their specific needs and rights.

Seizing this opportunity, CARE Nepal, partnered with Private Agencies Collaborating Together (PACT), the Center for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA) and Winrock International have devised the three year SAMARPAN program to "contribute to strengthening governance at local level through increased women's participation and increased advocacy skills and capacity of civil society groups". In six districts, the program works in tandem with the Strengthened Action for Governance in Utilization of Natural Resources (SAGUN) program, which builds the governance capacity of Natural Resource Management groups (NRM Groups).

SAMARPAN focuses on the 12 central, western, mid and far-western districts of Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Kapilbastu, Banke, Bardia, Surkhet, Dang, Salyan, Pyuthan, Rukum, Rolpa and Kailali districts.

SAMARPAN has three specific objectives: to increase the advocacy capacity of civil society groups at community and federation level; to increase women's participation in elected local government and; in support of the first two objectives, to increase the literacy of women elected representatives and members of advocacy groups.

The main targets are civil society groups, including NRM Groups, community based organizations at local, district and national levels, and local government personnel, with a particular focus on elected and nominated women representatives (ENWRs). The program offers the skills and knowledge that will enable these individuals and groups to increase dialogue, advocate, and ultimately influence, policy decisions.

A multi-faceted approach will ensure a far-reaching impact beyond the funding lifespan. The main component of the program is training. Around 210 facilitators will be trained on basic advocacy skills. They will then train a further 10,000 people. Eight specialized trainings will also be conducted for those who display the skills and capacity to lead community advocacy efforts and to monitor and ensure government accountability. To reinforce these objectives, the production and dissemination of information, education and communication (IEC) materials such as posters and radio messages will reach many more people. At all stages, to increase the advocacy opportunities, participants will be helped to establish partnerships and create strategic coalitions.

Increase advocacy capacity
The existing advocacy capacity of civil society groups is constrained by weak institutional capacity, limited awareness of rights and responsibilities, lack of access to information, illiteracy, and tenuous linkages with other groups and institutions. Training will be offered to civil society groups at local level and federations and associations at district level. A secondary target group will be the main national associations of District and Village Development Committees and the Federation of Community Forest Users of Nepal.

Training on advocacy initiatives will focus on relevant issues, such as forestry management policies, social equity and justice. In addition to skills training, male members of village and district development committees will be provided with awareness raising on self-governance which specifically focuses on participatory planning.

Increasing women's participation
There are challenges to increasing the participation of women in elected local government. Many ENWRs are unaware of the responsibilities of elected officials and have poor knowledge of government structures. Limited access to information specifically contributes to low confidence and self-esteem and limits the scope of ENWRs to advocate for the interests and rights of their constituencies.

SAMARPAN is targeting 950 ENWRs and 3,800 potential women candidates for the next elections in Surkhet and Kailali districts. Orientation workshops and training sessions will be provided for ENWRs and 36 women candidates at each village level. The program will enable candidates to identify issues, develop a campaign strategy, speak effectively and mobilize voters, especially other women. The output will be an increased number of women leaders with the knowledge and skills to run for office. The objective is to provide the knowledge, information and skills that will enable ENWRs to be more effective advocates, participating constructively and influencing local government agendas and plans.

Experience shows the important function of spouses and counterparts in creating an enabling environment. A secondary target group, therefore, is the spouses of the ENWRs and around 1000 male members of Village Development Executive Committees, who will receive gender orientation training.

Increasing literacy
In Nepal, only a quarter of women are able to read. In remote areas, this is as low as 10.8 %. It is also estimated that 60% of ENWRs are illiterate. The literacy program is a key factor in building confidence and strengthening knowledge and advocacy skills, which will help ENWRs play a stronger political role. SAMARPAN has a two-pronged approach: to adapt existing literacy materials on advocacy and local self-governance; and to develop self-instructional, group based post-literacy programs for women representatives. It is expected that by June 2005, at least 8,000 ENWRs and women members of advocacy groups will have basic literacy skills.

Special strategies
Rukum, Rolpa, Salyan, Pyuthan and Dang (the Rapti cluster) are extensively affected by insecurity. For the last five years, CARE Nepal has been the only INGO working in this area. Although implementation of activities related to elected local government is not feasible, there is an opportunity to broaden the scope and ability of CFUGs to play a greater role in civil society. CFUG facilitators will be trained to train others at community level in basic advocacy, with a smaller group receiving the specialized advocacy training. IEC materials will be incorporated into the training packages and post-literacy initiatives, such as reading centers, will be supported for women's groups.

Building on the experience of CARE Sri Lanka and the work of the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), a study will document the lessons from working in Rapti, to develop strategies and interventions for working in conflict-affected areas.

It is essential, despite the risks, that developmental activities are continued and, possibly, extended in areas such as these both to sustain program impact and to benefit those who are in most need.