Samaan Aawaaj “Equal Voice” Intersectional Democratic Spaces in Nepal & Bangladesh

SAMAAN AAWAAJ “EQUAL VOICE” Intersectional Democratic Spaces in Nepal & Bangladesh

Samaan Aawaaj / Equal Voice is supporting grassroots, Dalit, Indigenous, and religious minority women to strengthen leadership, engage in local governance, and shape more inclusive democratic spaces in Nepal and Bangladesh.

WORKING TOGETHER ACROSS NEPAL AND BANGLADESH

In its first year, the project made strong early progress despite political transitions, elections, and ongoing social and economic pressures. Women leaders reported increased

YEAR ONE IN NUMBERS

confidence, stronger leadership skills, and greater willingness to engage with local decision-making processes.

952

People reached directly

73%

Women participants

95%

Women trained reported increased leadership capacity

75%

Women surveyed after 6 months had engaged in governance in new ways

695+

Additional people reached through peer learning

Across both countries, participants came together through leadership training, peer learning, dialogues, and community action - building stronger connections between communities and local government.

The results show encouraging momentum: women are organizing, building networks, and beginning to influence decisions that affect their communities.

WHAT CHANGED? LEADERSHIP Women gained confidence and leadership skills.

GOVERNANCE More women engaged with local government.

Participants reported stronger leadership skills, increased civic participation, and greater confidence engaging with local government.

New relationships between communities and government actors are helping create more inclusive, responsive, and accountable systems.

For many participants - particularly marginalized women - this was the first time they had directly engaged in governance processes or community advocacy.

BANGLADESH y 45 collectives formed y Initial meeting with local authorities y Women leading community priorities and dialogue

NEPAL y 158 local government representatives trained y Women participating in forums and advocacy y Strengthening inclusive governance practices

COLLECTIVE ACTION New community groups mobilized around local issues.

VOICE & INCLUSION Marginalized women entered decisionmaking spaces.

HOW CHANGE HAPPENED From Leadership to Collective Action PARTICIPATION BY ACTIVITY

Samaan Aawaaj builds change through leadership development, peer learning, dialogue, and inclusive accountability.

Peer-to-peer networking

During Year One, women leaders, local government representatives, youth, and community members participated in feminist leadership training, peer-topeer networking, and community dialogues designed to strengthen inclusion and participation.

In Bangladesh, community collectives began organizing around local priorities and engaging directly with local authorities. In Nepal, newly elected local government representatives participated in leadership and power analysis training to strengthen inclusive governance practices.

The project adapted to a rapidly changing context shaped by elections, political transition, misinformation, and economic pressures. By building trust, creating safe spaces, and responding to local realities, the project continued to strengthen relationships between communities and institutions.

491

Dialogues

180

local government members trained in feminist leadership

155

Emerging leaders from communities trained in feminist leadership

81

Inclusive community-led accountability training

24

Knowledge production/focus groups

21 0

100

200

300

400

500

OUR JOURNEY OF CHANGE

1. TRAIN

2. CONNECT

236 community and government

410 existing and

Leadership and community led accountability training leaders trained on feminist leadership, including members of the Dalit, Indigenous, and religious minority communities

CHALLENGES FACED

⚠ Elections and political transition ⚠ Misinformation and polarization ⚠ Economic pressures ⚠ Climate vulnerability

Build mentorship and peer networking opportunities potential women leaders participating in networking activities

3. AMPLIFY

Planning underway to train professional media and citizen journalists to tell stories of women leaders in year 2

4. INFLUENCE

Planning underway for awareness and learning campaigns, intergenerational dialogues, and joint advocacy work in year 2

HOW THE PROJECT ADAPTED

✅ Flexible implementation ✅ Relationship building ✅ Safe spaces for women ✅ Context-specific approaches

LOOKING AHEAD Year 1 laid a strong foundation for deeper participation and relationship building. With many local leaders now more familiar with feminist leadership in practice, the deeper work of building connections and collective influence can begin. This will include formal mentorship opportunities, stronger relationships with local media to amplify women’s voices, community advocacy campaigns that engage unlikely supporters, and the development of networks across the Indo-Pacific that enable leaders to learn from and support one another.

Together we are buildin g ‘Equal Voice’. Stronger Communities. More Inclusive Democracies.