Heat-Protection Items for Poor Farmer Women of Mulpani

In Nepal, 98 percent of the workers  in agriculture are women. The contribution of female farmers is imperative due to a mass migration of men leaving the country to search for higher-paying jobs. In turn, women have no other choice but to take charge of the household and the farm work.

Female farmers in Nepal have to overcome the societal thinking that they lack the physical skills required to work on a farm. Often they are not taken seriously in the industry and may lack the training opportunities that are offered to men. Unfortunately, women are not able to start on the same equal footing as men because of laws preventing them from owning land, making financial decisions and being able to gain credit. Although, there has been some improvement over the years as one-fifth of total agricultural landholders in were female. This increase represents a rise of 10 percent. Poor women farmers in Nepal face significant hardships during the summer months, exacerbated by climate change and patriarchal norms. They often struggle with water scarcity, as well as dehydration because of extreme heat, and the burden of household chores and farm labor, while lacking access to resources and decision-making power. 

Hence, this new project of $300 aims to distribute umbrella also water bottle and electrolyte powder for poor farmers among women in mulpani Kathmandu which protect them from heat stress and work safely in farms .

Background

In Nepal, there are more women farmers than men. 70% of smallholder farmers are women, and this is because of the culture that has evolved. Women are encouraged to be independent and to be able to take care of themselves and their families. They are required to work hard, which makes them willing to work on farms and become farmers. They are also more likely to be involved in farming because they do not have access to education or jobs.

Many women farmers spend hours under the scorching sun fetching water for household needs and livestock .Extreme heat and lack of irrigation can lead to wilted crops, reduced yields, and spoilage of perishable goods for those who sell them, impacting their livelihoods. Limited access to water for domestic needs because of inadequate water supply for drinking and sanitation further impacts their well-being.  

Heavy Workload and Limited Resources Double burden of farm and household work Women farmers often work long hours on the farm, then return home to manage household chores, including cooking, cleaning, and childcare. Lack of access to land ownership and resources Traditional norms restrict women's access to land ownership, credit, and other resources, hindering their ability to invest in farming and adapt to climate change. Limited access to alternative livelihoods Due to gender barriers, women often lack access to alternative income-generating opportunities, making them more vulnerable to climate shocks.  

Climate Change Impacts and it Increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather Nepal is experiencing more frequent and intense heat waves, droughts, and floods, which disrupt agricultural cycles and jeopardize harvests. Climate-related disasters like Landslides and other natural disasters triggered by climate change can destroy crops and infrastructure, further impacting livelihoods longer dry spells and reduced water availability, these conditions make it more challenging to sustain crops and livestock, especially for those reliant on rain-fed agriculture. 

Here, we aimed to conduct intervention program by distribution of umbrella and water bottles

Project

· Identify women from farming areas and street vendor who are in poverty 

· Buy them umbrellas and water bottles and electrolytes 

· Provide information about safety  measure  in hot climate working in field in day by using umbrella and about dehydration  Provide educations about dehydration how it affect women’s health how to prevent it .

Expected outcomes 

· Increase awareness about safety measure of working in field

· Increase awareness about health problems related to hot climate and dehydration.

· Minimization of the medical illnesses related to reproductive tract infections in women and girls because of hot weather

· Provide education about use of safety measures in farm to prevent from hot weather and use of electrolytes powder and drinking water practice.

· To protect women from heat stress.

Budget

20 umbrella - $145

25 water bottles - $90

25 Electrolytes - $65

$300 Total