Empowerment Programme for Peace, Development and Human Rights

This Nepali initiative works on the principle that human rights and economic sustainability are essential factors in a sustainable peace. The initiative seeks to address these issues through training.

Description

Initially the organisation was established to work on the issues of bonded labour.  It has been working on human rights issues for more than a decade and has now expanded its areas of work to peace, conflict and economic sectors. The organisation is working for the protection and promotion of human rights and economic sustainability as they believe that without this Nepal cannot achieve sustainable peace.

Aims / Objectives

The project aims to develop a society respectful of human rights and create a culture of peace. The organisation is providing the victims of conflict with the means to improve their livelihood, and is providing education for the freed Kamaiya's children and the child victims of the conflict. The organisation is providing income generation and skill-development training with the aims of ensuring economic sustainability for conflict victims and ex-bonded labourers. The organisation intends to continue working in this field as it believes that economic sustainability is an essential component of the peace process.

How it is Articulated

• Training on income generation and skill-development;  
• training on human rights;  
• peace education and information for children;  
• providing basic education for children with the aim of preparing them for formal education. 

Achievements / Learning Points

The organisation has challenged cultural taboos such as providing barber training to women. Some of the women have estabished hairdressing businesses and are now sustaining themselves economically. Many children who have received HURADC informal schooling have now begun formal education.  

Geographical Area of Operation

Kailali District in Nepal's far western region.

Funding Resources

Informal Sector Service Centre (a Kathmandu-based human rights organization), UNDP-SPDI.

Stories

Some of the participants who were trained in barbering and vegetable farming have developed successful  businesses and keep their households in good economic condition. They have become examples within their communities.  Women who took barber training in particular have been able to establish very good economic conditions.