Women Empowerment

CDO offers certain skill-development programs for widows and single women who live in local communities in the Kathmandu Valley.  Small business operations are designed to increase their average income, in order to make them financially independent.  Projects include knitting and beading. Training days are organized to teach the women how to manufacture a variety of products.

Following the training, the women are given the required materials to produce the designs that they choose to specialize in.  Women complete the work at their leisure and then are paid a pre-arranged price, depending on the complexity of the products. The products are sold locally as well as internationally, helping to raise funds for CDO’s programs.  Our online shop presents some of the products made by the women to customers world-wide, e.g. beaded accessories, including necklaces, bangles, bracelets, earrings and purses.

This program helps to increase self-confidence and leadership in women; it allows them to supplement their wages without introducing unreasonable time constraints into their often hectic schedules. The extra money they earn allows for better quality of life for them and their families.