History of WHR

WHR initially concentrated on encouraging single women (widows) to step outside the confines of their home and share their sorrow, fears and frustration. These sharing opportunities were provided at monthly forums. Experts in various developmental fields were invited to share their experiences and knowledge with the group at the monthly forums. When single women (widows) realized they were not alone in how they felt or feared, the obvious next step was to work on developing their new found confidence to make them independent. The group met informally for a couple of years until the need to register as a formal organization was realized by the founding members.

WHR started out in one room where single women (widows) would gather to share their pain and grief of the loss of their husbands and find solace in the solidarity of those in similar fate as them. They were able to transform our sorrow to strengthen and establish an organization that portrays the transformation process for many single women (widows).

WHR Target Group

Single women as defined by WHR are the widows, wives of missing husbands, divorcees, unmarried women of 35 years of age and women separated but not divorced from their husbands. WHR is the only organization known in Nepal working for single women (widows). WHR is working with single women (widows) from all backgrounds, and from many situations, including conflicts widows and victims of the insurgency, from both sides of the previously conflicting parties.

WHR defines “Widows” as “Single Women” through a national declaration to use the word ‘Single Women', instead of widows. The change in the terminology has been in effect since the word ‘widow' in Nepali society is viewed with disdain, inducing humiliation and agony.

WHR Network

WHR has an ever expanding network. WHR currently has 225 single women groups in 52 districts with a membership base of over 44,000. WHR centre will focus on the activities in the national and international level and the regional network of WHR will look after the district activities.

WHR is also the current secretariat of SANWED (South Asian Network for Widows Empowerment in Development). SANWED is the loose network of organizations working for widows in the South Asian countries. At present, there are national chapters from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

In order to address the issues of the rights of the single women (widows) at a global level, WHR has also been taking initiative of establishing WHR International Chapter in different countries. Women for Human Rights, Single Women Group International Chapter Australia has already been registered in 17 April, 2009. WHR International - Australia Chapter is an additional initial step towards setting up the platform for the resource management and social empowerment of single women (widows). (For more information, please visit http://www.whraustralia.org.au

How Is It Funded ?

Presently, we have been able to raise funds through charitable donors, Ministries, local NGOs and INGOs, individuals and donor agencies to support our current activities.