Empowering Women by CDD (Community-Driven Development) Projects in Nepal

Abstract

  This is a review of preceding research regarding the CDD (Community-Driven Development) approach and its impact on women and minorities’ empowerment. Women were dominated by males in societies in the past. Now in developed countries, the situation has changed. Women have equal opportunities in every aspect, while in developing countries discrimination still exists especially in the field of education. Constitutionally discrimination has been eliminated but in actual society attitude toward women is still discriminating. In international societies, donor agencies have focused on empowering women to participate with equal opportunities in the development process of developing countries. CDD approach is also an approach that aims to eliminate poverty, realize economic growth, and promote empowerment of women and vulnerable groups and minorities through a participatory approach. World Bank and Asian Development Bank have increased their budget allocation to women empowerment programs. Compulsory women participation rule by ADB and World Bank in CDD program also helped women get out from the limited household jobs to society. Through participating in community group meetings, women were given opportunities to raise their voices regarding their needs and rights. Women explored themselves through economic, political, and human development activities. In many projects, women’s participation was found to be more than 40%. Impact evaluation of CDD projects found increased women literacy, improved life expectancy and reduced gender gap, and better Human Development Index.