Empowerment
The Himalayan Times
12 December 2014
Empowerment
It was interesting to read
the article “Empowering the other half” penned by Gail Marzeth” (THT, 10
Dec.2014, Page 6). We are talking about socially, culturally and ethnically
inclusive society with gender equality in new Nepal. While going through the
article, I, for a while, tried to contemplate my 25 years of involvement in the
rural development programmes focussing on the empowerment of community
specially women folks for the improvement of their living conditions.
I still remember while trying to bring both
the men and women into the mainstream of the donor funded programme with the
close collaboration of government field based officials. The effort was not successful
in terms of generating the feeling of ownership towards the development
activities that were designed for them.
Appropriate facilitation process
with the active role of local facilitators is the crucial management tool to
empower them. Properly designed management training for both the men and women
members will significantly enhance their decision making power.
Rai Biren Bangdel
Maharajgunj
