Nepal is a country in South Asia known for its diverse culture, rich history, and stunning landscapes. It is home to Mount Everest, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, and a vibrant blend of Hinduism and Buddhism. The country’s capital is Kathmandu, and it is bordered by China to the north and India to the south, east, and west.
Life for Women and Girls in the Terai
The Terai in Nepal is the lowland region in southern Nepal that borders India. It is characterised by its flat plains and is known for its agricultural significance. The region is home to diverse communities and cultures.
However, women and girls in the Terai face widespread discrimination and disadvantage due to their gender. This increases their risk of mental ill health, exposes them to violence, and limits their life opportunities. Societal norms and expectations about gender roles need to be positively changed to create a more equal, healthier, and happier future for all youth in Nepal.
Cricket for Equality Project
The “Cricket for Equality” programme specifically aims to increase adolescent girls’ participation in cricket, while engaging both boys and girls in discussions about gender and the importance of gender equality. Started in 2019, the programme has delivered activities including workshops, young leader training, and school-based introductory cricket sessions. The project targets schools in five Hubs, two each in Koshi Province: Biratnagar (Morang district), and Dhankuta (Dhankuta district), and three in Madhesh Province: Rajbiraj and Kalyanpur (Saptari district), and Lahan (Siraha district). The project aims to develop a network of young leaders who will inspire boys and girls to take part in cricket while challenging harmful ideas about gender.
Partner Organisations
Nepal Cricket Foundation is a Nepali registered non-profit organisation based in Biratnagar which aims to develop and promote nationwide cricket by organizing training, camps, leagues and tournaments. They encourage, support and train players and officials to build a career in cricket and use sports for social development and lead on deliver in Koshi Province.
Sabal Nepal is a non-profit national NGO that focuses on development and disaster-related work, with special emphasis on water, sanitation, and hygiene promotion. The organization is designed to address the root causes of poverty and aims to assist individuals, households, and communities in managing shocks and improving resilience. They have strong links with the Saptari Cricket Association and are active in the use of sports to further their aims related to positive development for women and girls.
Cricket Changemakers Project
The Cricket Changemakers project is a play-based research initiative designed to facilitate positive changes in societal gender norms. It works with adolescent girls in the Saptari and Morang districts in the Terai to become coaches, researchers, and change agents. The project aims to address gendered health inequalities in Eastern Nepal through cricket-based activities that double as research tools.
By harnessing the potential of sports for development and using a Youth Participatory Action Research approach, the project empowers girls to challenge restrictive gender norms and expectations.The project is a collaboration between various organizations, including Cricket Without Boundaries, the Nepal Cricket Foundation, Sabal Nepal, and the MCC Foundation in the UK.
It aims to use cricket as a platform for engagement, inclusion, and development, while actively reckoning with the historical injustices of elitism, sexism, racism, and colonialism associated with the sport.
The Cricket Changemakers project follows a cycle of evidence-based action planning, where youth researchers gather first-hand evidence, reflect on effective interventions, plan actions, and then support or lead the delivery of these actions. The project also involves participatory research games and surveys through cricket to gather information about the impact of the actions taken.
The project’s ultimate goal is to empower girls to challenge gender norms, access more freedoms, and create a more equitable and healthier future for all youth in Nepal.
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