Pillar 3

The Strategic Approach of WHR

WHR has been a pioneer in addressing single women’s issues and envisions changing traditional stereotypes and mindsets that keep single women from participating and accessing resources. We strive to change discriminatory policies to give women their rights and show that they are valuable social capital.

WHR’s strategic plan (2019-2023) focuses on five pillars.

Our Programs


Pillar I - Economic Sustainability
Pillar II - Rights to Quality Education and Health
Pillar III - Prevention, Protection and Participation
Pillar IV- Disaster and Humanitarian Response
Pillar V- Institutional Development

Our Publications

Case Studies


Overcoming Hurdles
Amit Nepali

Prevention, Protection and Participation (Pillar III)

Violence against women perpetuates their subordination and also is the consequence of their subordination. The scenario is much worse when it comes to Nepali women, especially if they are widowed.

Widows in the country are prone to different forms of violence, such as sexual harassment, rape, verbal and physical abuses, early marriage and so on. The deep rooted orthodox cultural practices, gender discrimination and patriarchy are the main culprits behind all these forms of violence against single women in the country.

Single women in Nepal continue to be excluded from the progress made in the global human rights instruments and services aimed at women’s rights and empowerment, for instance, despite the ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), consensus on the Beijing Platform for Action, the widespread support for the Elimination of Violence against women and the endorsement of the UNSCR 1325 and 1820 by the international community.

This strategic theme, thus, focuses on eliminating all forms of discrimination and violence against single women and their children by giving due priority to solving legal problems faced by single women via legal education, advocacy and referral. The theme also focuses on conducting self-defense classes to young girls and women to enable to defend themselves in danger situations, which also helps them develop their confidence and self-esteem.

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