Developing women’s role in policy making processes: shaping gender equity and inclusiveness in climate action for health and wellbeing in Nepal.

WeShape Project

WeSHAPE Project

Developing women’s role in policy-making processes: shaping gender equity and inclusiveness in climate action for health and wellbeing in Nepal (also called WeSHAPE Project)

This project seeks to advance gender equity and social inclusion (GESI) in Nepal’s climate change and health policies through innovative and participatory research. By empowering marginalized women as agents of change and engaging policymakers in equitable partnerships, the initiative aims to dismantle barriers to inclusive decision-making. Employing creative methodologies such as storytelling, photovoice, and participatory policy-making workshops, the project will capture the lived experiences of women and translate them into actionable strategies for gender-sensitive governance. Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, this research not only addresses urgent local challenges but also establishes scalable models for inclusive policy processes that resonate on a global scale.

Climate change is a global challenge with profound local impacts, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, particularly women and marginalized groups. In Nepal, a country ranked among the most climate-vulnerable nations globally, the intersection of extreme topography, socio-economic structures, and environmental hazards exacerbates this disparity. Despite Nepal's constitutional commitment to gender equity and significant progress in women's political representation, the inclusion of women in climate-related decision-making remains tokenistic, hindered by structural inequalities and sectoral silos. Addressing these gaps is crucial for achieving effective and inclusive climate action, which not only mitigates the impacts of climate change but also promotes social equity and resilience.

Project Team

UK Team ( Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine)

Dr. Lana Whittaker
Dr. Lana Whittaker is a distinguished human geographer and Senior Research Associate at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), where she also serves as a Lecturer in Human Geography specializing in Climate Change and Health. With over a decade of interdisciplinary research experience spanning geography, public health, development studies, and conservation, she focuses on advancing policies and strategies to enhance livelihoods, health, and well-being, particularly in the context of climate change and informal settlements. An accomplished academic, Dr. Whittaker has secured significant research funding, published extensively in high-impact journals, and contributed to global health governance through memberships in organizations such as WHO’s Technical Working Group on Climate-Resilient Health Systems. She is also an expert educator, leading LSTM's climate change and health curriculum, mentoring PhD and Master’s students, and championing innovative, participatory research approaches that address social inequalities and promote sustainable development.

Dr. Rachel Tolhurst

Dr. Rachel Tolhurst is an esteemed academic with over 25 years of experience in international health research, focusing on gender equity and health systems strengthening in Africa and Asia. As a Reader in Social Science and International Health at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, she has pioneered work on the social determinants of health inequities, including intersections between gender, poverty, and disability. Her leadership is exemplified by her roles in managing multi-partner, interdisciplinary research consortia and her contribution to global equity research, such as serving on the UNICEF-Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Equity Reference Group. With a rich academic background, including a PhD in participatory gender mainstreaming in health and numerous peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Tolhurst has made profound contributions to maternal health, antimicrobial resistance, and urban health equity. Additionally, she is a dedicated mentor, having supervised numerous PhD and master’s students, reflecting her unwavering commitment to capacity-building in global health research.

Nepal Team ( PHASE Nepal)

Dr Mandira Lamichhane (climate change, health and gender)

Dr. Mandira Lamichhane Dhimal is a renowned researcher and policy expert in Nepal, serving as Director at the Planetary Health Research Centre (PHRC) in Kathmandu. A member of the Global Young Academy (2023 - 2028) and a visiting Faculty at Nepal Open University, she holds extensive experience in international and governmental organizations. Notably, she served as an Associate Research Fellow at the Policy Research Institute, and as a Founder Research Fellow at the Global Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies. With a PhD from Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany, she specializes in gender perspectives on health impacts of environmental and climate change in Nepal.

Dr. Situ KC

Dr. KC is a seasoned public health expert with a decade-long career, holding a master’s in public health and a recent doctoral degree in Health Science/Epidemiology from Tampere University, Finland. Currently, she works at PHASE Nepal as well as teaches at Kantipur Academy of Health Science, specializing in Family Health, Epidemiology, and Monitoring and Evaluation of Public Health programs. With five first-author publications in esteemed international journals and presentations at prestigious conferences, her expertise spans quantitative and qualitative data analysis using SPSS, STATA, and Microsoft Office. Dr. KC's interests focus on maternal and child health, perinatal health, health service access, and aiding vulnerable populations, showcasing her commitment to health equity and addressing disparities.

Bikash Koirala ( PhD Student - Public Health at the University of Huddersfield)

Bikash, with 11 years at PHASE Nepal, leads diverse projects in health, nutrition, disaster risk reduction, and research. His MPhil in Development Studies and ongoing PhD in Public Health, coupled with a natural science background, underpin his expertise. Skilled in participatory methods and policy workshops, he offers technical and creative insights. He recently lead a MRC, UK funded Health System Research Initiative (HSRI) project in PHASE Nepal collaborating with five other partners, three institutions in the UK and two in Nepal respectively. With an active engagement as an author in several publications and presenter in research forums, he is also a recipient of a Provincial Research Grant by Nepal Health Research Council in 2022. He holds an Specialization in Biostatistics and Public Health from the Johns Hopkins University, USA as well as Specialization from Public Health Data Analytics Using R programming from Imperial College London.

Barsha Rijal

Barsha Rijal is a dedicated public health researcher with a Master's degree in Global Health and a Bachelor's degree in Public Health. Currently a Research Associate at PHASE Nepal, she leads applied research projects, collaborating with academia, government, and development agencies. Her work includes assessing living conditions in informal settlements and studying non-communicable diseases in rural Nepal. She also serves as Vice-Chairperson on the Board of Directors of EcoHimal Nepal, focusing on climate change initiatives. Barsha has co-authored numerous publications in international journals and received the Provincial Research Grant by the Nepal Health Research Council in 2022.

Samikshya Nepal

Samikshya Nepal is a committed public health professional with a Master’s degree in Public Health from Tribhuvan University and extensive experience in research and community health. Currently a Trainee Research Officer at PHASE Nepal, she has a proven track record in participatory research, policy analysis, and fostering equitable community engagement. Her expertise lies in employing innovative methodologies, including qualitative data collection and analysis, to address complex health challenges. With prior roles as a Public Health Officer in government organizations, Samikshya combines her technical skills in tools like SPSS and Kobo with a passion for gender equity and social inclusion, contributing to transformative public health initiatives in Nepal.

Chetana Pokharel

Chetana Pokharel is a dedicated public health expert with a Master’s degree in Public Health from MMIHS, Tribhuvan University. As a Trainee Research Associate at PHASE Nepal, she brings exceptional skills in participatory policy-making, data analysis, and capacity strengthening. Chetana has been instrumental in projects addressing climate change, health equity, and marginalized communities, showcasing her ability to bridge research and policy. With extensive training in tools like SPSS and WHO Anthro Plus, and experience in systematic reviews and stakeholder engagement, she combines academic excellence with practical expertise to promote inclusive and impactful health solutions.

Project Locations

A satellite picture showing project areas below the Himalayan range pinned in yellow location points : Pokhara Valley (West), Panchpokhari Hills (East). Kathmandu valley is seen in between ( blue location mark). Source : Google Earth.

Panchpokhari Rural Municipality, Sindhupalchok District
Panchpokhari Rural Municipality, situated in Nepal's Sindhupalchok district, is highly susceptible to the adverse impacts of climate change. This rural municipality experiences frequent landslides, floods, and extreme cold, which significantly affect the livelihoods and well-being of its residents. The majority of the population in Panchpokhari belongs to the Tamang ethnic group, a community that remains underrepresented in policy-making processes. Despite these challenges, the area presents a critical opportunity to explore the intersection of climate vulnerabilities and social inclusion. The research will leverage insights from PHASE Nepal's ongoing community development programs in Panchpokhari to identify and address the unique barriers faced by marginalized groups, particularly in engaging with climate action and governance.

Pokhara Sub-Metropolitan City, Kaski District
Pokhara Sub-Metropolitan City, located in Kaski district, is an expanding urban center marked by significant rural-urban migration and a diverse mix of ethnic communities. The city is home to 30 informal settlements along river corridors, where residents face inadequate living conditions, making them highly vulnerable to climate-related disasters such as extreme heat, cold, and floods. With its dynamic urban environment and growing population of urban poor, Pokhara provides a contrasting setting to Panchpokhari for understanding the impacts of climate change. Drawing on insights from the LSTM-led GCRF ARISE project, this study will examine the unique challenges and opportunities for promoting inclusive climate governance in an urban context, focusing on the health and well-being of marginalized populations.

News/Updates

British Academy Project Induction Held in Pokhara

PHASE Nepal team successfully held a project induction workshop on the British Academy funded project named

“Developing women’s role in policy-making processes: shaping gender equity and inclusiveness in climate action for health and wellbeing in Nepal”,

with the senior stakeholders of Pokhara Metropolitan City one of the two local levels partners of this project. This project is jointly implemented by PHASE Nepal and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK. The induction programme was organized on the 20th of July, 2024 to discuss the project plans and budgets with the stakeholders. The participants of the programme comprised of executive members of the metropolis such as Deputy Mayor, and Chiefs of the Social Development, Health, Education and Planning Departments. The officials have provided creative and constructive feedbacks on how we implement the project.

” Please include Female Community Health Voluteers (FCHVs) and the members of Health Facility Operation and Management Committee (HFOMC) to explore the ground issues so that we can bring them to the policy dialogues”, suggested the chief of the health section.

“Please also corodinate with the environment section of the metropolis as this project is related to the climate change”, said the deputy mayor.

Field Activities Initiated at Panchpokhari

The PHASE research team visited Panchpokhari Thangpal Rural Municipality, Sindhupalchowk from November 4 to November 24, 2024, to initiate the field activities for the BA project. During this period, we coordinated with key stakeholders and successfully held a stakeholder analysis meeting, with active participation from the deputy chair of the rural municipality, ward chairpersons, the chief of the health section, FCHVs, community women and school teachers. Additionally, we conducted key informant interviews with key personnels regarding climate change and health decision-making. We also commenced in-depth interviews with community women and FCHVs.