Development work in bhutan

In Bhutan, we partner with the local organization RENEW to strengthen women’s livelihoods by providing vocational training programmes.

Bhutan is a small landlocked country in Central Asia, bordered by China and India, the world’s most populous countries. The population of Bhutan is only 763 092. Fida has done development work in Bhutan since 2011 and remains the only Finnish NGO in the country.

Bhutan is one of the poorest countries in the world, where gender equality has not been realised. These are the main concerns of Fida’s Country Programme in Bhutan. The target groups for Fida’s training are widows, early school leavers, single parents, victims of domestic violence, and people with disabilities.

Our Partner – the Queen Mother’s Organisation

In Bhutan, Fida partners with RENEW, a local NGO founded by Queen Mother Sangay Choden Wangchuck. RENEW focuses on preventing gender-based violence and supporting survivors. Through its Country Programme, Fida reinforces RENEW’s broad efforts by helping victims improve their financial independence and decision-making. Because the royal family is highly respected in Bhutan, both RENEW and Fida’s training programmes are well known across the country.

Vocational Training for the Most Vulnerable

Fida’s Country Programme works to secure a safe life for the most vulnerable women and children, with vocational training as a key measure to tackle poverty and improve living conditions.

Research shows that vocational training can reduce domestic violence. When women earn an income from a new profession, they can better provide for their families—offering more varied food, for instance—and ensure that their children remain in school.

Fida collaborates with city leaders and local experts to develop these training programs. When municipal decision-makers are involved from the start, they often commit to the projects by providing training spaces free of charge. They also help women find work after training, sometimes offering them access to a marketplace at no cost.

After completing sewing training, my friend and I founded a sewing company. At first, we faced challenges, however, our customer base has since grown significantly.

Yeshey Denkar, entrepreneur.

Preventing Gender-Based Violence through Education

In Bhutan, gender-based and domestic violence is widespread and often seen as a normal part of married life. Together with its local partner, Fida offers educational programs on sexual and reproductive health and children’s rights. Through these sessions, communities learn to recognize violence, understand where to seek help, and discover how to report abuse in their areas.