The purpose of the project is to further extend and consolidate the work of Carers Associations (CAs) and Carers Cooperatives (CCs) in Baglung and Myagdi, Nepal which were established in a previous project carried out by LEADS Nepal and ourselves in 2014 – 2017. This new project aims to raise awareness of carers’ existence, role and needs; lobby for practical support; and advocate with local government for policy changes and recognition.
This project has a specific focus on advocacy and the economic inclusion of carers with the aim of strengthening and empowering, predominately female, carers in both the civil society space and in their immediate communities. The ultimate outcome, by the end of the project, will be strong, fully fledged CAs who can independently advocate for the rights of carers, and CCs who can facilitate opportunities and economic security for carers.
The CAs will be recognised as the collective voice of a hitherto vulnerable group, bringing carers into the local government and community agenda and ensuring this neglected group can come out of their homes, be socially and economically empowered, continue to provide the quality care their ill relatives require, and together bring their families and communities out of poverty.
Quantitative research has been conducted in June 2019 and published in December 2019 that assesses the extent to which Carers Associations and Carers Cooperatives empower predominately female carers in Baglung and Myagdi. You can read ‘Carers: Choice and Control’ which is the published report for this research.
