Feminist Participatory Action Research is a research method that recognizes and validates women’s experiences. FPAR approach can contribute to the knowledge of gendered experience. In Feminist Participatory Action Research (FPAR), women research the issues that affect their own lives in order to bring about needed change. As a community, they analyze their stories and talk about what actions they will take and what needs to be changed. As opposed to traditional research, women are active participants in the research process; they are not ‘researched on’. This is sorely needed in Nepal to adequately raise and add to the knowledge on women’s rights issues in Nepal where the tradition- bound research paradigms continue to hold sway and feminist issues are rarely and inadequately researched.

FPAR requires a certain attitude- one that believes women can steer change; one that embraces and values the complexity of women’s lived experiences; and one that highlights the strength and resourcefulness of women in the face of disempowering and discriminatory circumstances.

FPAR is a method consistent with Tarangini’s values and aims. FPAR uses methods that  support Tarangini’s aims to support and grow women’s rights movements and to advance women’s human rights to work.

FPAR creates new forms of collaborative relationships essential to empower women and to amplify their voices, advocate for themselves and foster agency. With this in mind, Tarangini Foundation has begun research with 35 co-researchers from 3 different partner organizations namely Women Forum for Women Nepal (WOFOWON), Nepal Mahila Ekta Samaj (NMES) and Jagriti Mahila Maha Sangh (JMMS).

The FPAR includes capacity building workshops that is interlinked with the concept of women’s work and identity with deep rooted patriarchy as a major factor for obstructing women’s dignity by highlighting the critical role of women and their impact on gendered power relation and how are they being excluded in decision making processes. The co- researchers were able to engage in their issues and surface the solutions and things that needs to be done in order to formalize their work by themselves. Along with this the research included qualitative and quantitative methodologies as well. Tarangini believes with the result from this research, the workers will be able to advocate regarding their issues by themselves on a fact-based manner.