Women’s education, rights & life skills are very important for women’s empowerment. This section will rationalize why we need support and volunteers on Women’s education, rights & life skills.
The status of Nepalese women is extremely poor in terms of their health, education, community participation, income generation, self-confidence, leadership, decision-making and access to policy making and human rights. For example, the enrollment of women in higher education is only 24.95%, whilst the number of women enrolled in technical and vocational training is substantially lower than men.
Traditionally women in Nepal have not been seen to be major earners economically, with only 45.2% of women categorized as economically active, in contrast to 68.2% of men, which VIN is seeking to address through this program.
Poverty is widespread in Nepal’s rural communities and girls are needed to help with household chores, rather than go to school. Girls are perceived to be a burden, with a Nepali proverb stating “Raising a girl is like watering another man’s garden”, being off early and then becoming the cleaner and cook in their mother-in-law’s home. Because women from impoverished, rural communities gain a level of education that is too low to enable them to continue to further education or enter skilled jobs, they never reach their social and economic potential and their capabilities are wasted.
The goal of the Women’s Education, Rights and Life Skills project is to educate underprivileged women on their rights and life skills. We provide basic education, life skills training, knowledge on health and domestic issues and inform women of their rights. We have set up hundreds of women’s groups and delivered literacy classes and life skills training to over 3,000 women in the community. The groups are designed to ensure that the women have a support network that is sustainable and can operate independently of VIN. The women are eager to learn to enable them to establish independence for themselves and for their children.
We are looking for Women’s education, rights & life skills volunteers or interns to join us to learn more about the barriers facing Nepali women and help to address them. Provision of basic literacy and knowledge of legal rights have been the foundations of our work. The volunteers will help to deliver training, develop tasks to test what the women have learned and even create their own courses.
During your volunteer placement you will live in the community with a Nepali host family, offering you the chance to become immersed in Nepali culture and language, and allow you to experience the environment from which today’s youth are trying to emerge. Depending upon you interest and expertise, you will be involved in one or more of the following activities:
- Teach English language to women within the community.
- Assist in developing mathematics and computer skills.
- Provide life skills training, such as communication and interpersonal skills, decision making, problem solving and critical thinking skills, identifying and copying with stress, self-awareness and self-esteem and time management.
- Help organise sessions on Rights of Women.
- Conduct informative sessions on family planning, domestic violence and gender equality.
- Support and motivate women at all times.
- Prepare a detailed report on the progress and issues faced by different women’s groups.
- Fundraise to support women’s empowerment projects.
Project Specific Skills
- Knowledge of Women’s rights and essential life skills
- Excellent inter-personal communication skills
- Proficient in conducting training and delivering workshops
- Interview and research skills
- Lateral and creative thinking
- Basic computer skills
Desirable/ Common Skills
- Excellent communicator with good interpersonal skills
- A team player with good workethics
- Time management and leadership qualities
- Adaptable, flexible and able to work under pressure
- Accepting of different ideas and culture
- Problem solving: always be part of solutions than part of a problem
- Creative
- Positive attitude
Requirements
- Gender: Female / Male
- Minimum Age: 18+ years (16-17 years old person can volunteer but need to present parents’/ guardian’s consent letter)
- Language:English (Intermediate)
- Educational:High School Graduate
Your Experience/ Setting
Upon your arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), you will receive a warm welcome and be transported to your hotel or hostel. If you are already in Nepal before the start of your placement, we can make alternative arrangements for you. You will undergo a comprehensive two- to three-day induction program after arrival. This induction will provide valuable information about your project and general information about the Nepalese language, culture, health, safety, and security. It is also an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow volunteers and interns who can become your companions for sightseeing and a source of support throughout your volunteer placement.
During the induction period, you will be accommodated in a budget hotel or hostel arranged by VIN. However, most of the VIN experience involves living with a Nepalese host family. While this immersion is essential for a complete experience, we understand that it can be challenging as you adapt to a new culture and adjust to facilities that may be more basic than you are accustomed to. Don’t worry; all our host families have experience accommodating volunteers, although their English-speaking abilities may vary. Also, you will have 24-hour access to our staff members for support and assistance throughout your placement.
Volunteers will be assigned to one of VIN’s working areas, which include Tarakeshor Municipality in Kathmandu, Taluwa, Thulachhap, and Bhadaure in Okhaldhunga, and Okharpouwa and Kaule in the Nuwakot district. While at the working site, volunteers are requested to bring their lunch box, water bottle, safety gear, face mask, and any other essential belongings. We advise volunteers to dress comfortably and modestly, preferably with long sleeves. Please get in touch with us for guidance and support if you want to raise project funds or collect project-specific resources. This will help the community a lot.
Schedule and Commitment
You will work five to six days a week, up to six hours per day. You may propose your preferred time and hours; however, the working time period will be dependent on the institution you have been placed. A minimum of 2 weeks’ time commitment is expected of a volunteer. The longer you commit; the better impact you can make. You should be willing to commit a certain amount of your free time and energy, show a lot of commitment and be a good listener. You are expected to work constructively and co-operatively maintaining good reputation and standards at all times. Volunteer should abide by relevant security concerns and access procedures. Moreover, you should be receptive and positive to performance appraisal, advice and feedback. Throughout your placement, you will have the full support of VIN. Your safety is our highest priority.
Your typical day might look like this:
| 07:00-08:00 | Tea/Leisure Time |
| 08:00-09:00 | Breakfast/Brunch (Nepali meal – Daal-Bhaat) |
| 09:00-10:00 | Preparation for sessions |
| 10:00-13:00 | Deliver training sessions/Workshops |
| 13:00-14:00 | Lunch (Packed lunch) |
| 15:00-17:00 | Deliver interactive/extracurricular sessions |
| 17:00-20:00 | Preparation for next day/Leisure time |
| 20:00-21:00 | Dinner (Nepali meal – Daal-Bhaat) |
You will receive a clear and concise on-the-job instructions, course of action, context of work and policies/strategies before your placement begins. You will be provided with ample of guidance and support throughout the placement with trainings / onboarding sessions incase necessary. You will be in a constant communication and regular check-in with the VIN volunteer coordinator. VIN aims to maintain a culture of continuous feedback between the volunteer supervisor at the placement to monitor the performance of the volunteer and ensure the project delivers desired outcomes.
In case of an emergency, you may contact one of our Volunteer Coordinators who will be available anytime for your assistance and support.
Click here to Learn more on how volunteering works
Mid and Long Term Volunteers:
2 weeks minimum stay- € 350
3 weeks – 450€
4 weeks – 550€ (after 4th week, for each additional week €85)
University Internships:
4 weeks minimum stay- € 650 (for each additional week – €95
Click here to Learn what’s included and excluded in our Fees Section
Click here to Learn recruitment process on how volunteering works
Our projects are open year-round, and our inductions begin on the first and third Mondays of each month. We would like to ask that volunteers arrive one day before the start of the induction. You can choose the duration of your participation based on your available time. However, so that you know, our volunteering placements are limited. We highly recommend booking your placement in advance to secure your placement. Click here to apply.
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