“Women are the pillars of development.”

Developing Women's Agency in Every Sector

Women's Agency Research Center Nepal (WARN) empowers women's agency in all developmental sectors with respect to human rights principles — through research, advocacy, awareness education and community support.

2068 Established (BS)
10+ Districts Reached
3,000+ Women Reached
14+ Years of Service

A Leading Rights-Based Organization of Nepali Women

Women's Agency Research Center Nepal (WARN) is a leading rights-based organization of Nepali women, established in 2068 BS (2012). Its main aim is to empower women's agency in all developmental sectors with respect to human rights principles. Women who had long been involved in women's rights and liberation movements came together and collectively began this work.

Women make up 52% of Nepal's population (CBS, 2011), yet their participation in the sectors provisioned by the constitution stands at only 33%. Gender equality is addressed in law, but millions of women still have no access to justice. WARN exists to close that gap.

Our Brochure

Vision, Mission & Goal

WARN works to establish a culture of gender equality by closing gender gaps at the decision-making level of every sector.

Vision

Access to women's agency at grassroots, national and international levels.

Goal

Establish a culture of gender equality and put it into practice in every action.

Our Objectives

  1. Study women's issues — defined as the capacity of women for rational decision-making — examine gender gaps at micro and macro levels of every sector, prepare reports and draw recommendations, including the enactment of legislation to provide equal-pay rights.
  2. Promote women's self-sufficiency in achieving their rights.
  3. Develop and organize programs that build women's confidence, individual agency (autonomy) and collective agency — groups, CBOs, NGOs, institutions and networks — from grassroots to international level.
  4. Establish a systematic data bank of women's agency in every sector.
  5. Eradicate all types of gender discrimination at local, national and international level by disseminating research findings.
  6. Coordinate and network with women-headed organizations for joint action research and action plans.

Our Approaches

Explore and study women's issues within existing socio-cultural practices on the basis of caste, class, region and religion.

Analyse discriminatory social, cultural, economic and political practices in a way that makes women feel empowered in everyday life, eliminates gender gaps and creates a just society.

Use a collaborative and partnership approach for profound discussion among all stakeholders on action-oriented results.

Develop action plans from past learning, and enforce the implementation of policy and strategy plans and their achievements.

Our Focus Areas

Research & Data Bank on Gender Gaps
Policy Advocacy
Women's Agency & Capacity Building
Awareness & Rights Education
Scholarships for the Underprivileged
Disaster Relief & Health Camps

Our Target Areas

Individuals, groups, organizations and policy-making forums; ministries and development sectors of government; the media; government monitoring mechanisms; cultural practices in communities; and institutions.

Programs & Projects

Research, advocacy and education projects WARN has developed and carried out with government bodies, commissions and development partners.

Empowering Rural Women in the Government Service Mechanism

Dhudhapokhari Rural Municipality, Lamjung · Submitted to the Nepal National Commission for UNESCO, Ministry of Education

Educates rural women on government policies and procedures so they can claim local resources and services. Targets 100 women's groups and about 3,000 women through three-day training cycles, stakeholder workshops and a training manual.

Constitutional Awareness Education for Women

Kathmandu Valley · Submitted to UNESCO, Ministry of Education

An education and awareness programme on women's rights in the Constitution of Nepal 2072 — property, reproductive, civil, livelihood and health rights. Reaches about 5,000 women across 50 groups through focus group discussions, workshops, radio and television.

Women's Participation in the Police and Army Force

10 conflict-affected districts across five development regions · Nepal Peace Trust Fund, Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction

A study and motivation programme under the theme of gender justice and equality, aiming to raise women's participation in all levels of the police and army force to at least 20% in line with Nepal's National Plan of Action for UNSCR 1325 and 1820.

Women's Access and Development: Local Level Election 2074

One-day interaction workshop · National Women Commission, in coordination with the Ministry of Women

Brings together 300 elected women representatives of Province 3 to gather facts on women's participation in the 2074 local election, assess the role political parties played in candidate selection, and identify the challenges, opportunities and capacity-development needs of elected women officials.

Earthquake Relief & Disaster Response

Earthquake-affected districts · 25 April 2015 onward

WARN distributed rations in areas affected by the April 2015 earthquake, and continues to support communities through relief distribution and health camps. The work was documented and displayed at the 2nd World Women's Conference in Nepal.

Health Awareness Programme 2081

Shree Madhyamik Vidhyalaya, DaddhaGhari, BNP, Chitwan

A health awareness programme covering Alzheimer's disease, colorectal cancer and diabetes, together with discussions on social security provisions for the elderly — giving participants practical information they can act on.

Flood Relief Handover, 2081

Mahankal Ward No. 3, Kathmandu · With Dharti Mitra Foundation, Dravya Cooperative, Sangathit Mahila Forum and Lions Clubs

Relief materials collected from partner organizations were handed over at the ward office — rice, quilts, pillows, bedsheets, pressure cookers and household utensils for families affected by flooding.

Scholarship Support for Underprivileged Students

Ongoing · Kathmandu and partner districts

WARN provides scholarships to girls and students from underprivileged families so that financial hardship does not end their education, and follows up on their progress through member volunteers.

Advocacy, Research & Publications

National and international forums

WARN members presented research at the 2nd World Women's Conference, ran a signature campaign on women's access to decision-making, published the book 'Junasanga Mero Kura' by Dr. Narayani Tiwari, and presented advocacy outcomes to the President of Nepal. Members also serve on research and evaluation teams for government, NGOs and INGOs.

Our Team

Researchers, educators, health professionals and gender experts who lead WARN's research, advocacy and training work across Nepal.

Dr. Narayani Tiwari

Advisor

PhD in Sociology · 20+ years of teaching and supervision, Ministry of Education

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Prof. Timila Yami Thapa

Advisor

Professor · Electronics (IIT Kanpur) and IT & Systems Engineering (De Montfort University, UK)

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Jamuna Tamrakar Sayami

Advisor

MSc in Health Development · 42 years in health, education and environment

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Dr. Pragya Acharya Gautam

Chairperson

MPhil in English · Lecturer, Padma Kanya Multiple Campus, TU

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Dr. Sheela Yogi

Vice Chairperson

Founder member · Master's in Educational Planning & Management and Rural Development

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Parbati Kattel

Secretary

MEd & MPhil in Nepali (TU) · 26 years of teaching

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Shiva Laxmi Upadhyay

Treasurer
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Renuka Kattel

Member

Master's in Education · Staff nurse and nursing officer, Bir Hospital

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Prof. Dr. Narbada Thapa

Member

PhD in Epidemiology · Visiting professor of epidemiology and public health

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Sabita Kandel

Member

Tribhuvan University · Life member of PWEDO

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Jyoti Panta

Member
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Kamala Pandey

Member
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Want to join our team or volunteer with us?

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Contribute to Our Work

Your contribution supports research, advocacy, awareness education and relief for women and communities across Nepal. You can deposit or transfer directly to our bank account.

Bank Account Details

Bank
Rastriya Banijya Bank Limited
Account Name
Women Agency Research Center, Nepal
Account Number

After contributing, please let us know by phone or email so we can thank you and acknowledge your support.

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Whether you want to partner on research, support a programme, volunteer, or simply learn more — we'd love to hear from you.

Contact Information