Empowering Women Informal Waste Workers through the “Her Safety” Program

We continue to make significant progress in supporting women Informal Waste Workers (IWWs) through our “Her Safety” program at Srijanshil Traders, Dhobighat! This initiative, part of our gender-responsive programming, is dedicated to addressing the unique challenges that women IWWs face, particularly in terms of safety from violence and workplace hazards.

In our recent event, 12 women from Srijanshil Traders and 8 women from Shah Scraper Aggregator gathered to identify safe and unsafe spaces within their work environments. This collaborative effort led to the formation of the Jagriti Mahila Suraksha Samiti, a dedicated safety committee that will advocate for the well-being and protection of women IWWs. The committee’s formation marks a pivotal step toward creating safer, more inclusive workplaces for these women.

We are incredibly proud of these women and their commitment to fostering a safer environment for themselves and their peers. A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who contributed to making this initiative a reality. Together, we are building a stronger, more supportive community for women in the waste management sector.

The “Her Safety” program is a part of the larger RIVER+ project, funded by the PLEASE Project, implemented by the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme, and supported by the World Bank, with implementation assistance from UNOPS. The RIVER+ project is led by Biocomp Nepal in partnership with People in Need Nepal and CLEAN UP NEPAL. Together, we continue to strive for safer, more sustainable workspaces for all.