Women in Good Governance.

The objective of Women in Good Governance (WIGG) is to strengthen the democratic peace process, particularly through activities aimed at women. They use a rights-based approach which is inclusive in nature and fits into Nepal’s new constitutional framework. Through extensive programmes spanning 75 districts in Nepal, WIGG have been able to enhance the knowledge and skills of local female political leaders.

WIGG raise women’s awareness of their rights as women and as participants in political processes. They have learned that local level women have a strong voice but lack the education, experience and confidence to be wholly effective on the political scene. WIGG projects have helped develop their political understanding and increase their self-belief, helping them become influential at a national level.

Rights-Based Political Advocacy for Female Leaders

This project aimed to provide female political leaders and Constitutional Assembly (CA) members with a good working knowledge of the constitutional process. To ensure inclusive, participatory, and effective democracy, WIGG’s strategy was to strengthen the capacity of female CA representatives through seminars and events. They wanted to mobilise women as political actors both locally and nationally, creating both horizontal and vertical links between civil society, activist groups, and various local, national, and international organisations.

WIGG organised intensive, inclusive and informed workshops and events, delivered by lawyers, activists, political scientists, professors, and human rights advocates. And, as an example of their success, sixteen women who attended WIIGG workshops have been elected CA members.

Improving female leaders’ understanding of federalism and state restructure

This project aimed to equip female activists in the Eastern and Central Development Regions with an improved understanding of federalism and state structures, in order to allow them to engage fully in Nepal’s current state restructuring, securing their formal contribution the peace process. WIGG created a bank of experts on federalism and the constitution, and engaged these in producing user-friendly materials and delivering workshops for female activists and political leaders.