the care weyerhaeuser partnership

The chairperson of the Siddhi Vinayak Community Forest group is a woman, Basanti Adhikari. She was elected six months ago. "Members of the community group thought it was better to have a woman supervising women workers , instead of a man as before." "Previously there were 10 men and seven women on the board for the community group, now there are more women" says Salikram Neupane, CARE's district coordinator in Banke.

Adhikari received 87 votes. Her opponent received 70. Many of the male members of the community group opposed her nomination. They felt she should have her husband's consent in order to run for the post. "But I had already served as treasurer. They never required my husband's permission for me to fill that position," says Adhikari.

Adhikari participated in literacy classes supported by CARE. She credits the classes for building her self-esteem and her confidence, as well as her reading and writing skills.

"The classes helped me enormously. Not just to understand words better and to be able to write, but also to feel capable. After attending the classes I felt encouraged to apply for the treasurer position and then to run for the post of chairperson, " says Adhikari. "I encourage everyone to attend the classes."

Chandra Kala, elected treasurer for the same community forest group, seconded her. "The literacy classes helped to increase my skills and my confidence. I felt more capable of making decisions and participating in group meetings," says Kala.

This year Weyerhaueser's support is making it possible for CARE to expand the number of its literacy classes from approximately 168 to 192, reaching nearly 4,000 women. The literacy classes also reinforce teachings on responsible forestry and conservation techniques.