Decent work and an inclusive economy
6 January 2026For girls and young women in Nepal, decent work means dignity, safety, and choice. This blog by Gita Bidari, Technical Advisor at Plan International Nepal, explores global trends and local realities, and why investing in girls is essential for an inclusive economy.
Why decent work matters for girls in Nepal
In Nepal, decent work is not just about earning an income. For many girls, it is about being trusted, being allowed to leave home, and being seen as capable. Decent work means work that is safe, fairly paid and respectful, with protection and equal opportunities. Yet for many girls (above 16 years old) and young women, this remains out of reach.
A young woman from Madhesh shared during a dialogue, “I wanted to work, but my family said it was not safe for girls. They asked, who will look after the house?”
These expectations shape girls’ lives from an early age. Harmful gender norms, unpaid care work, and limited access to education push girls into insecure and low-paid work or keep them out of work entirely. Girls with disabilities and LGBTIQA+ young people face even greater exclusion.
Plan International believes that when girls can earn with dignity, they gain confidence, choice, and voice. As often echoed in our work, investing in girls’ economic empowerment helps families and communities move forward together.
“I wanted to work, but my family said it was not safe for girls. They asked, who will look after the house?”
A young woman from Madhesh
Global picture
Across the world, decent work is still not a reality for many people. In 2024, around 58 percent of workers were in informal jobs, with no job security or social protection (International Labour Organization, ILO, 2024). About 240 million people were living in extreme working poverty, earning too little to meet basic needs (ILO, 2024).
Women and young people are most affected. Globally, only 46.4 percent of women are in the labour force compared to 69.5 percent of men (ILO, 2024). Young women are more than twice as likely as young men to be not in employment, education, or training. Around 28.2 percent of young women fall into this group, compared to 13.1 percent of young men (ILO, 2024).
Behind these figures are everyday realities. As one young woman from Karnali put it, “I finished school, but I didn’t know where to go for training or jobs. No one shared that information with girls like me.”
“I finished school, but I didn’t know where to go for training or jobs. No one shared that information with girls like me.”
A young woman from Karnali
Nepal’s reality
In Nepal, these global challenges are shaped by poverty, geography, and social norms. In 2022, 17.4 percent of the population lived below the poverty line (World Bank, 2022). Agriculture employs around 65 percent of people but contributes only 27 percent to the national economy, showing low productivity and unstable incomes (Central Bureau of Statistics, CBS 2021).
Youth unemployment stands at 19.2 percent (ILO, 2021). Young women face the greatest barriers. Only about 26 percent of women are in formal employment, compared to 74 percent of men (ILO, 2021). Many women work in informal jobs with low pay, long hours, and no social protection.
Education plays a key role. Nepal’s overall literacy rate is 76.2 percent, but only 69.4 percent of women are literate compared to 83.6 percent of men (CBS, 2021). Girls are more likely to drop out of school, especially at the secondary level. Some studies suggest that up to 77 percent of girls aged 6 to 15 leave school early.
A 19-year-old girl from Sudurpaschim explained, “I wanted to join vocational training, but I had to look after my younger siblings. Training felt like a luxury.” Heavy household work, childcare responsibilities, and restrictions on mobility make it difficult for girls to access skills training. In many communities, technical education and vocational training programmes are still seen as “for boys”. Lack of information, financing, and family support further limits girls’ choices.
“I wanted to join vocational training, but I had to look after my younger siblings. Training felt like a luxury.”
19-year-old girl from Sudurpaschim
Our approach
Plan International Nepal addresses these challenges through its Skills and Opportunities for Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship programme. The focus is on young people aged 18–24, especially adolescent girls and young women from marginalised backgrounds.
The work starts by listening to girls. Gender and social analysis help understand how barriers like unpaid care work, disability, caste, and location affect girls differently. Programmes are then designed with girls, not just for them.
Interventions combine vocational and technical skills with life skills, leadership development, sexual and reproductive health education, and entrepreneurship support. A gender-transformative approach is used throughout, challenging harmful norms and unequal power relations.
Families, community leaders, employers, and government officials are engaged to create safer and more inclusive workplaces. One young woman who completed training through our supported programme said, “Before, my family didn’t believe I could earn. Now they ask me to teach my younger sister.”
Decent work is about dignity and choice
Nepal has made progress in recognising labour rights and inclusion. But policies alone are not enough. Decent work for all will only be possible when girls and young women are trusted, protected, and valued as workers and leaders. Plan International Nepal continues to invest in girls, challenge harmful norms, and strengthen systems that support safe and dignified work. When girls are given real opportunities, they do more than earn an income. They change how their families, communities, and economies see them.
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