Nepal, women comprise 50.1% of the total population, is predominantly a patriarchal society. It is obvious that the mindset of parents in Nepal tilts in the favor of male children compared to the female child. The gender discrimination exists not only in the preference of a male child but also in according preferential treatment to boys and relegating subordinate status to girls in the society; female roles are associated with domestic work and rendering services to the male members of their families. This system is largely responsible for perpetuating violence and injustices against women in the society in the form of child marriage, rape, wife battering, sexual harassment, and even girl trafficking.

Parents still feel that girls are valuable for household work and education for girls was not considered as a good investment. In the case of education for boys, 100% of parents affirmed that a boy sh ould go to school.

According to 1995 educational statistics of Nepal, the proportion of girls in the total enrolment in secondary schools is only 35.9%. Even those who enroll in school drop out prematurely due to various reasons like early marriage, failure to pass examinations and negative parental attitude towards female education (Nepal Secondary Education Project, 1996). Forty percent of all the marriages in Nepal involve under 14 years of age with 7% under 10 years of age. As a result of early marriage, these girls end up bearing many children at an early age. Too often these young mothers die in childbirth, given their physiological immaturity and malnutrition.

Although women comprise 50.1% of the total population, statistics reveal the hiatus in gender disparity between men and women. Only 10 women have made it to ministerial berths from the elected government in 1960 to date.

Life expectancy for women is 53.5 as against 55.0 for men and Nepal is one of three countries in the world where life expectancy for women is lower than men's. Infant mortality for females is 101 as against 94 for males. The maternal mortality rate stands at 475 out of 100,000 live births. 70-80% women are anaemic. This disparity is further perpetuated owing to the patriarchal structure of the society in which women belong to the residual category in the society.

Gender discrimination is a result of many poverty issues. Women in Nepal face gender discrimination through the denial of access to resources; having no control over resources or no benefits from resources; restricted mobility, and low representation in decision-making positions in all sectors. A Nepalese woman's freedom and ability is further limited by illiteracy, poor health, violence, long working hours, high maternal and morbidity rates, trafficking, witch-hunting, etc.

Youth for Change, Nepal ensures that our work, approach, and methodology are gender sensitive and we implement specific activities to improve the lives of young women. Our work involves identifying the causes of injustice and inequity in gender, and lobbying to establish equal rights to women in laws and policies. We also link with grassroots women's movements by supporting and encouraging them to fight for their basic rights. YC, Nepal will be working with both men and women, and poor and marginalized people so that they can realize their potential to assert their rights. Each component of YC programs will give its priority to redress gender inequity.

Issues of concerns:

1. Women and Poverty
2. Education and empowerment of Women
3. Women and Health
4. Violence against Women
5. Women in Power and Decision Making
6. Women trafficking.
7. Human Rights of Women