LIVELIHOOD
The HDI Index of Karnali is lowest (0.538) compared to other provinces and ranks in 6th position. The HDI index of Mid-Western region is increased from 0.338 to 0.554 in past 28 years which is not sufficient. Karnali province has been neglected from the state that resulted in underdevelopment, lower access to social, political, educational and economic development. People of Karnali are dependent on agriculture followed by job holders and foreign employment. Further, most of the land are unproductive, and most of the land has no access to irrigation. Changes in weather patterns have also impacted in agricultural production negatively. Moreover, Karnali has also been deprived from road infrastructure and transportation access. That is making people’s life harder and less connected to other cities. Export and import of food and other necessary products are also being very difficult. As an outcome, livelihood, education, and health status is not well improved. They have less market access due to the lack of road connection. They could not sell their products easily in the market. The transportation cost through flight is very expensive to sell the products that includes crops and fruits. The people of Karnali are socially backward and marginalized that is resulted from lack of economic and unemployment opportunities, low agriculture productivity, food security issues and high rates of illiteracy.

OUR MOVES
Livelihood is another key area of expertise of WWS. Livelihood theme is helping to contribute to overcome with the food security problems through the close support that includes policy making, Income Generating Activity, women’s empowerment campaigns and trainings. WWS supported women to establish agro- business. That is helping to develop resilient livelihood to overcome with the food security problems. WWS facilitated to establish multi-purposed cooperative to encourage women on saving and credits, and provide financial support to operate enterprises. WWS also aims to promote climate smart livelihood diversities through its project and activities. WWS had implemented projects to support people to fight with food scarcity. Food security and diversification is the main theme that helps to increase women status through active engagement in livelihood diversification schemes. As an outcome, marginalized women of Sarkegad Rural Municipality operated agri-based enterprises and other income generation activities such as vegetables farming, high value crops production, poultry farm, retail shops, etc. Within this project implementation time, women had also developed tailoring skills to generate income and used those money to buy food. More than 100 women have been operating enterprises at local level.

RUPANTARAN: Women Empowerment through Economic Transformation of the most marginalized women of Humla. (2019-2021), Poverty Alleviation Fund Nepal (2005-2017), Income generation project (1999-2003), Income generation though Agri-livestock based activities (2006-2007), Income generation though Agri-livestock based activities (2005-2006),