Building an inclusive economy through women-led businesses – UN Women Asia and the Pacific

Building an Inclusive Economy through Women-Led Businesses in Nepal

Date: Wednesday, 25 June 2025

Introduction

In Belauri Municipality, northeastern Nepal, women-led businesses are driving inclusive economic growth, contributing significantly to the country’s transition from Least-Developed Country (LDC) status in 2026. This transformation aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Empowered Women, Prosperous Nepal (EWPN) Programme

The Empowered Women, Prosperous Nepal (EWPN) programme is a four-year joint initiative (2023–2026) by the Government of Nepal, the European Union, and the United Nations. It is implemented by four UN agencies (ILO, UNFPA, UNICEF, and UN Women) across Madhesh, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim Provinces, in partnership with all government levels.

Key Achievements and Impact

1. Vocational Training and Economic Empowerment

   Nisha Devi Chaudhary, a beneficiary in Belauri, transitioned from dependence on migrant remittances to earning USD 260–300 monthly by growing seasonal vegetables using skills gained through EWPN-supported vocational training. This reflects progress toward:

   • SDG 5: Empowering women through skill development and economic independence.
   • SDG 8: Promoting decent work and sustainable livelihoods.

2. Women’s Entrepreneurship and Market Integration

   Across multiple provinces, women entrepreneurs have established enterprises such as traditional sweets production and school uniform stitching, supported by training, business coaching, and seed funding. Highlights include:

   • Formation of savings and credit associations to reinvest in businesses.
   • Linking products to local government programs and tourism value chains.
   • Increased income and dignity for women workers.

   These initiatives contribute to:

   • SDG 5: Enhancing women’s leadership and decision-making power.
   • SDG 10: Reducing inequalities by including marginalized groups such as Dalit, Janajati, Muslim, Madhesi, and returnee migrant households.

3. Social Transformation and Gender Norms

   Women’s increased earnings have shifted household and community power dynamics, enabling them to participate in decision-making and leadership roles. Examples include:

   • Women managing collective farms and leading savings groups.
   • Reclaiming spaces previously restricted by harmful traditions.
   • Advocating for community services and representing cooperatives.

   This supports SDG 5 by challenging entrenched gender norms and promoting gender equality.

4. Government Partnerships and Policy Integration

   EWPN collaborates with federal, provincial, and local governments to embed inclusive economic models into policies and practices, including:

   • Launching women’s markets with gender-sensitive design and operations.
   • Providing equipment and digital finance training through cooperatives.
   • Ensuring women are co-creators of their communities’ economic futures.

   This aligns with SDG 8 and SDG 10 by fostering inclusive economic growth and reducing inequalities.

Case Study: Patalganga Tharu Community Homestay

Sushila Tharu from Birendranagar exemplifies the empowerment impact of EWPN. Through an 18-day hospitality and culinary training, she and other Tharu women developed skills to operate a community homestay that generates income and strengthens cultural identity. This initiative demonstrates:

• Women’s economic leadership and self-reliance.
• Promotion of cultural tourism as a sustainable livelihood.
• Advancement of SDG 5 by enabling women to lead and earn independently.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

As Nepal approaches its graduation from LDC status, the empowerment of women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) is essential for sustainable and inclusive economic growth. The EWPN programme’s comprehensive approach—combining vocational training, business support, social transformation, and government partnership—positions women as key economic actors and agents of change.

Continued commitment to these efforts will ensure that progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 5, SDG 8, and SDG 10, is sustained and expanded, fostering a resilient and gender-responsive national economy.

References

• Empowered Women, Prosperous Nepal (EWPN) Programme
• United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: https://sdgs.un.org/goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 5: Gender Equality – The article focuses on empowering women through vocational training, entrepreneurship, and leadership roles, promoting gender equality and women’s economic empowerment.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – It highlights the creation of decent work opportunities and inclusive economic growth through women-led micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The article addresses reducing inequalities by supporting marginalized and underserved communities, including Dalit, Janajati, Muslim, Madhesi, and returnee migrant households.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.
   • Target 5.a: Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control over land and other forms of property, financial services, inheritance and natural resources.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of MSMEs.
   • Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 5.5.1: Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments and local governments – implied by women influencing local economic decisions and participating in community leadership.
• Indicator 5.a.1: Proportion of total agricultural population with ownership or secure rights over agricultural land by sex – implied by women leasing and expanding land for farming.
• Indicator 8.3.1: Proportion of informal employment in non-agriculture employment, by sex – implied by the formalization of women-led MSMEs and their participation in markets.
• Indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate, by sex, age and persons with disabilities – implied by increased employment and income generation among women trained by the programme.
• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 per cent of median income, by sex, age and persons with disabilities – implied by income increases among marginalized women and their households.
• Additional implied indicators include the number of women receiving vocational training, number of women-led enterprises established or expanded, and income levels of women entrepreneurs.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: asiapacific.unwomen.org