Continuing the momentum in 2025, in the second year of the Civil Society Engagement for Gender-Just Climate Solutions and Action in Nepal project, the Women Empowerment Centre (WEC) strategically expanded its outreach and advocacy efforts to deepen community understanding, strengthen multi-stakeholder collaboration, and amplify gender-just climate action at the local level. To initiate the year’s activities, WEC hosted a series of participatory stakeholder meetings in March with local governments, civil society organizations, community leaders, and women’s groups. These meetings were designed to co-develop inclusive and localized climate strategies that address the distinct needs and experiences of women and marginalized groups in the face of climate change. Following these in-person engagements, an online review session was held in April to revisit progress, assess early feedback, and refine strategies with key stakeholders. This virtual platform enabled continued collaboration and strengthened accountability among partners while ensuring accessibility and wider participation, including youth and grassroots women leaders who are often underrepresented in formal policy spaces.
On May 16, WEC organized a comprehensive orientation program titled Climate Change and Climate Leadership, which brought together over 50 participants from diverse backgrounds, including women community leaders, youth, educators, municipal staff, and activists. This orientation focused on building foundational knowledge of climate change science, its gendered impacts, and the critical role of women in leading climate adaptation and mitigation efforts. The session not only empowered participants with knowledge but also encouraged them to take active roles in advocacy and local decision-making processes.
Further strengthening our advocacy at the national level, WEC actively participated in the National CSO Dialogue on the Green Climate Fund (GCF), held in Kathmandu. This platform allowed WEC to voice community-based concerns and share grassroots perspectives on gender and climate finance. Our engagement helped emphasize the importance of integrating gender equity into GCF-funded projects in Nepal and advocated for community-led monitoring mechanisms to ensure transparency and inclusiveness.
In June, WEC implemented two impactful community awareness programs one in Chandragiri and another in Kirtipur municipalities. These events focused on how climate change disproportionately affects women, especially those from marginalized and economically vulnerable communities. The programs highlighted local environmental challenges such as water scarcity, rising temperatures, deforestation, and food insecurity, all of which are worsened by climate change. More importantly, the sessions introduced practical grassroots solutions like water harvesting, home gardening, eco-friendly income-generating activities, and collective advocacy for sustainable resource use. Through storytelling, interactive sessions, and community dialogue, the programs created a space for mutual learning and mobilization at the community level. These initiatives collectively contributed to building stronger local leadership, enhancing cross-sector partnerships, and deepening the community’s commitment to gender-responsive climate resilience. As a result, the project is gradually creating an enabling environment for inclusive and sustainable development rooted in gender justice.
On October 10, 2025, the Women Empowerment Centre successfully conducted an orientation session on Climate Change and Its Impact on Women. The program brought together women from the WEC to build a deeper understanding of how climate change is affecting daily lives, livelihoods, health, and overall well-being especially for women who are often on the frontlines of environmental challenges. During the session, participants explored the connections between climate-induced disasters, food insecurity, migration, and the increased workload and risks faced by women. The discussion also emphasized the need for gender-responsive climate policies, women-led adaptation strategies, and community-level actions that strengthen resilience.
The program was conducted under the project “Civil Society Engagement for Gender-just Climate Solutions and Actions in Nepal,” aimed at strengthening community awareness and promoting inclusive climate action. The session created a meaningful space for dialogue, experience sharing, and identifying practical women-led adaptation measures. We extend our sincere gratitude to Prakriti Resources Centre (PRC) for their continued support and collaboration.
