The Women Self-Employment Training Center

Introduction:

Established in 1993, the Nepali Women’s Community Service Center (NWCSC) has been a steadfast source of support for women facing various challenges. Over the years, it has not only offered crucial assistance but has also paved the way for the emergence of other impactful social organizations. Among these, the Women Self-Employment Training Center, founded in 2018, stands out as a beacon of empowerment. Driven by an unwavering commitment to uplift women, this center serves as a dedicated hub for imparting essential skills, fostering self-reliance, and creating livelihood opportunities, all while fulfilling its transformative mission.

Program Objectives:

The Women Self-Employment Training Center was originally established with the following key objectives:

– The initiative focuses on providing support and training to economically disadvantaged women, with a special emphasis on those who have been victims of domestic violence or affected by conflict.

– It aims to empower women through the imparting of valuable skills and the cultivation of self-reliance, ultimately enabling them to lead more independent lives.

Funding Agency: TGUP

Program Period: 2018 ongoing

Program Area: Dang

Program Achievements:

Since its inception, the Women Self-Employment Training Center has achieved several significant milestones:

  1. Creating Essential Products for a Global Audience: Operating as a production hub for essential items like sanitary pads, masks, and ready-to-wear fabrics, the center’s products have reached international markets, including the United States.
  2. Pandemic Response: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the center produced and dispatched 3000 masks and 500 sanitary pads to the United States. Locally, it supplied masks to hospitals, government entities, and businesses. Furthermore, masks and pads were distributed to Dharamshalas in various locations in India.
  3. Empowering Schoolgirls: The center provided free sanitary pads to schoolgirls in districts like Dang, Rolpa, Pyuthan, Salyan, and more, addressing a critical need, particularly in areas where the practice of ‘chaupadi’ persists.
  4. Collaborative Impact: Collaborating with NWCSC, the center distributed relief food and masks during the pandemic, specifically targeting impoverished communities and effectively coordinating efforts with local governments.
  5. Transforming Lives through Training: Over 100 women have received training in tailoring and hojari skills, with more than 35 of them going on to establish and manage their own businesses. Currently, the center actively trains an additional 15 individuals. Notably, six women who were once center employees received comprehensive training in cutting and sewing, sharing testimonials about the life-changing impact of the center’s programs.
  6. Testimony of Empowerment: Trainee Coach Deepa Basnet’s life transformation illustrates the center’s impact. She expressed profound satisfaction with her journey, highlighting how it brought happiness, financial stability, camaraderie, and the ability to uplift others in her community. Her association with the organization empowered her to provide education for her son and build a home, bringing about significant social advantages beyond financial benefits.