AWO International: Minimization of Unsafe and Forced Migration of Vulnerable Women in Kathmandu District of Nepal and Promotion of Migrants Rights in Nepal

AWO International “Minimization of Unsafe and Forced Migration of Vulnerable Women in Kathmandu District of Nepal and Promotion of Migrants Rights in Nepal”

AWO International Project: “Minimization of Unsafe and Forced Migration of Vulnerable Women in Kathmandu District of Nepal and Promotion of Migrants Rights in Nepal” (PMRN) POURAKHI  Nepal, with the generous support of AWO International is undertaking a program between January, 2014 through December, 2016 that will enable women who migrate abroad to make more informed and safer migration choices. The program (PMRN) is holistic in its approach to making migration safer in that it provides both safe-migration strategies and information about alternatives to migration. In addition, PMRN has undertaken considerable steps to reach as wide an audience as possible with its safe migration message. With a 2014 budget of over 80 thousand Euros and using the most culturally appropriate and relevant awareness raising strategies, PMRN provides information to whole communities and promotes a culture of empowered and informed decision-making.

Project Objectives: The main objectives/targets of the project are as follows:

  •     To ensure effective women migrant community based organizations (LNGOs/CBOs/Network) are in place
  •     To ensure that the target group (potential migrants) are able to make informed decisions about their migration
  •     To improve the socio economic status of vulnerable women (potential migrants) in the project area
  •     To raise awareness about alternatives to migration
  •     To lobby for more effective implementation of existing migration/foreign employment related policies

Impact Thus Far: Unsafe and forced migration of vulnerable Nepali women has been reduced.

Direct Project Area:

  • 1. Dakshinkali ClusterDakshinkali Municipality-Chalnakhel, Setidevi,Dakhinkali,Sheshnarayan and Chhaimale
  • 2. Phutung ClusterTokha Municipality-Jhor Mahankal Tarkeshor Municipality-Jitpur Phedi, Kavresthali, Phutung and Sangla

Indirect Project Area: Whole Nepal (Coverage area of Radio Program and Advocacy )

Target Beneficiaries: Direct Target Group (Beneficiaries): Direct beneficiaries: 48,000 people

  • 45,000 people will benefit from direct advisory and other services in the 8 migration information centers of the project
  • 700 households (2,800 people) are the core target group of the project (potential women migrants, returning women migrants, close female relatives of migrants abroad) in the following villages of Kathmandu district: Chhaimale, Talku, Setidevi und Chalnakhel VDC, Jhormahankal, Sangla und Futung VDC.
  • 3,000 people from all over Nepal who access the hotline after the broadcasted radio programs and seek advisory services
  • Staff and stakeholders in local partner organizations
  • Other stakeholders: Government representatives and members of other civil society organizations

Indirect Target Group:

29,112 people reside in the neighborhood of the direct beneficiaries in the 7 target villages and will benefit from spillover effects. It is estimated that 1,861,500 labour migrants will leave the country in the upcoming 3 years. This population will be exposed to various awareness measures and will benefit from lobbying and advocacy interventions. 2.5 Million female Nepalese labour migrants are currently working abroad. They are considered an indirect target group because they are potential returnees and have family members in Nepal who will be addressed by media campaigns and counseling. The actual number of the indirect target group is much higher; as Radio Nepal, the broadcasted radio program, is received by up to 12.6 Million people.