11. My Research “Voice Capturing”

"Voice Capturing" is one of the components of the Equity and Access Program (EAP) of ActionAid Nepal. This is a multi-stakeholder project among ActionAid Nepal, New Era Limited, Sustainable Safe Motherhood Program (SSMP) of Department for International Development (DFID) UK and Options Consultancy UK. The EAP was launched since February 2006 in eight districts - four terai (plains) and four hills namely in Morang, Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Rupandehi, Parbat, Myagdi, Dailekh and Dadeldhura districts of Nepal. The program aimed to increase knowledge and awareness on Safe Motherhood and Neo-natal Health (SMNH) in community, especially among poor and excluded by creating conducive environment for the poor and excluded women and families by addressing social, cultural, economic and physical barriers. Secondly, it aimed at capacity building of Equity Access Support Organisations (EASOs), local government, Reproductive Health Coordination Committee (RHCC) in the working districts and other community groups to promote equity and access for safe motherhood and neo-natal health. Most importantly, it aimed to capture unheard voices and comments of the service receivers known as the 'right-holders' and service providers as the 'duty bearers'. This report is the product of the last objective of the EAP, mainly focusing on the process and outcome of voice capturing among poorest, disadvantaged and excluded women of Nepal. The voices were collected during October 2007 to September 2008 using several qualitative research tools. This is the second consolidated voice report of the organisation. The first one was produced in August 2007.