CHAHHARI

“Shade of solidarity for single women (widows)”

Women in Nepal, have a much lower status than that of men. Nepalese society is embedded in patriarchy and male dominancy, and women have to face many discriminatory practices from community to state level. Widows in Nepal are further marginalized and discriminated against because they are considered inauspicious. The number of violations of the fundamental human rights of widows is uncountable and appallingly inhumane.

Women for Human Rights (WHR), single women group, working to raise the issue of rights of widows in Nepal , while upholding their overall status in a society that is against them, has launched an initiative called "Chhahari". Chhahari is a new venture to provide a safe "haven of hope" for single women (widows). The vision is to develop a haven that not only provides temporary living space but also enables the transformation to confident, independent women through program that provide counseling, legal and medical services and empowerment trainings and experiential learning (see attached).

Women are widowed in Nepal because of many reasons, the most profound reason being conflict. Rooted in a bloody war between the Maoist and armed forces, many husbands of these widows are innocent civilians. We believe that women, no matter what her background is, needs care, solidarity and motivation in order to make sure our next generation is strong and compassionate. We believe that WHR along with our many single women members from 140 groups, in 38 districts are at the initiation of a peace process, for we strongly consider women to be "agents of change" and vital contributors to the development process.

It is because we have decided to welcome into Chhahari women from all backgrounds that certain amount of social obstacles had to be overcome, because many Nepalese consider widows as inauspicious and many more fear providing housing and shelter for war widows. It is for this reason that WHR has had to seek our own building to establish Chhahari, so that there is a place where single women (widows) can call their very own. Chhahari, is also an initiative towards sustaining WHR and the many women that will pass through its doors seeking solace and strength or giving solace and strength to other women. It is sustaining generations of women after us, for widowhood is a part of life and the struggle is long for full equality.

Vision

The Vision is to develop a haven that not only provides temporary living space but also enables the transformation to confident, independent women through program that provide counseling, legal and medical services and empowerment trainings and experiential learning. WHR envisones a Chahhari in the most needy districts of Nepal, for single women (widows) of those districts.

Mission

WHR’s mission is to develop the following facilities in central level and most needy districts:

"Chhahari" Second Home for Single women (widows) was established one year ago at Naxal. Women in need of immediate relief are provided hot meals and sleeping space in a secure and caring environment. Single women (widows) come here for trauma and legal counselling, and receive skills trainings. It is also a centre where single women can share their innermost feelings without being judged. Chhahari provides support services to this marginalized section to reintegrate them into society. Chhahari is currently being operated in rented space. As a result WHR constantly faces the challenge of being asked to evict or pay higher rents.

If you are intested in knowing more about this project, or in contributing towards the construction and development of Chahhari at the Central level in Kathmandu, or at the district level then kindly contact us at:

• About WHR
• Our Work
• The Issues
• Programs
• - SANWED
• - Opportunity Fund
• - SWEG
• - AADHAR saving and credit
• - Activism and Advocacy
• - Capacity building
• - Chahhari project
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• Case Studies