Groups In Nepal Research Articles

Histopathological Analysis of the Product of Conception Following First Trimester Abortion; Is There a Diagnostic Value?

Introduction: Abortion is one of the most common problems faced by women of reproductive age group in Nepal. The most common complication associated with abortion is Retained Product of Conception. Histopathology is the confirmatory diagnostic test for the confirmation of intrauterine pregnancy and associated gestational trophoblastic neoplasm. Aims: To evaluate the value of histopathological examination of products of conception in first trimester abortion. Methods: A hospital based descriptive cross sectional study conducted from June 2021 to May 2023, among the women admitted with diagnosis of first trimester abortion at Lumbini Medical College and Teaching Hospital. Results: Among 89 cases of abortions, incomplete abortion was the commonest type constituting 83.1% of the studied group. The majority of participants belonged to age group of 21-30 years (49.4%) with a mean age of 28.64±12.7 years. Histopathologic examination confirmed products of conception in 54 (60%) patients, partial molar pregnancy in 7 (7.86%) patients, decidual reaction in 4 (4.49%) patients, complete mole in 1 (1.12%) patient and hydropic abortus in 12 (13.48%) patients. Conclusion: The histopathological examination of the products of conception proved to be an important tool in confirming intrauterine pregnancy and to find out possible pathologies associated with product of uterine evacuation like molar pregnancy and hydropic changes that necessitate special follow-up and further management.

Progress of Diversity and Inclusion in Nepal

Nepal is a country with a rich tapestry of diversity, with its population varying across caste, region, religion, race, and ethnicity. This diversity has historically led to significant social exclusion, contributing to political, social, and economic inequalities. The 2063 Interim Constitution of Nepal aimed to address this by ensuring the inclusion of marginalized and minority communities, giving them a platform to influence national policy. This paper seeks to examine the current state of inclusivity for diverse groups in Nepal and analyze its impact on society from economic, political, and social perspectives. Both primary and secondary sources were utilized for this study. The research focuses primarily on the issue of diversity and inclusion in Nepal. The 2007 Interim Constitution further enshrined the principle of equality, stating in Article 13, Clause 3 that no law should prevent the creation of special provisions for the protection, empowerment, or advancement of women, Dalits, ethnic nationalities (Adivasi-Janajati), Madhesis, farmers, laborers, or any class that is economically, socially, or culturally disadvantaged, as well as children, the elderly, disabled individuals, or those with physical or mental impairments. These constitutional guarantees paved the way for the introduction of the reservation system in Nepal’s political and civil service sectors.

Prevalence and Factors Associated With Adolescent Pregnancy Among an Indigenous Ethnic Group in Rural Nepal: A Community-based Cross-sectional Study.

The Chepang people, an indigenous ethnic group in Nepal, experience substantial marginalization and socioeconomic disadvantages, making their communities among the most vulnerable in the region. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with adolescent pregnancy in the Chepang communities of Raksirang Rural Municipality, Makwanpur District, Bagmati Province, Nepal. A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2022 to April 2023 among 231 Chepang women selected using simple random sampling from Raksirang Rural Municipality. A semi-structured questionnaire was used for interviewing the mothers. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed, using odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Variables with a variation inflation factor of more than 2 and a p-value of more than 0.25 were excluded from the final model. The study revealed that the prevalence rate of adolescent pregnancy among Chepang women was 71.4% (95% CI, 65.14 to 77.16). A large percentage of participants (72.7%) were married before the age of 18 years. Poor knowledge of adolescent pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 10.3; 95% CI, 8.42 to 14.87), unplanned pregnancy (aOR, 13.3; 95% CI, 10.76 to 19.2), and lack of sex education (aOR, 6.57; 95% CI, 3.85 to 11.27) were significantly associated with adolescent pregnancy. The prevalence of adolescent pregnancy among the Chepang community was high. These findings highlighted the importance of raising awareness about the potential consequences of adolescent pregnancy and implementing comprehensive sexuality education programs for preventing adolescent pregnancies within this community.

Exploring the Sociodemographic Factors and Consequences related to Alcohol Consumption among Older Indigenous Community of a District in Nepal: A Qualitative Study.

Alcoholism is a major global public health concern associated with numerous health conditions. Alcohol use has been a cultural part of several ethnic groups in Nepal. This study aimed to explore the qualitative dimension of alcohol use, its promoting factors, and consequences in Nepalese communities. Qualitative study was conducted among 20 older adults belonging to the Magar community of Mathagadhi Rural Municipality, Lumbini Province, Nepal after acquiring ethical approval from Institutional Review Committee of CiST College (Reference number: 179/078/079). The data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis, and themes were identified based on participants' responses to explore promoting factors for alcohol consumption along with its consequences. Traditional beliefs, cultural practices, and socioeconomic factors were the major contributors to alcohol misuse. Increased alcohol consumption during old age was perceived to be associated with body pain, tension, painful life events, and loneliness. A conflicting perception was observed, where some of the participants expressed the need to promote alcohol use as a part of their culture while some shared the view that the use of alcohol as a cultural practice should be limited. This study highlights the need for culturally appropriate interventions to address alcohol misuse among indigenous communities. Interventions should focus on addressing traditional beliefs and cultural practices that normalize alcohol consumption and the social and economic problems associated with alcohol misuse.

Impact of Social Media on Mental Health and Well-Being across Different Cultures and Age Groups in Nepal

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate impact of social media on mental health and well-being across different cultures and age groups
 Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries.
 Findings: Social media's impact on mental health and well-being varies across cultures and age groups. While it can foster social connection, information sharing, and creativity, it also contributes to negative outcomes such as social comparison, cyberbullying, and sleep disruption. Cultural norms influence how individuals engage with social media, and age-related factors shape susceptibility to its effects, highlighting the need for nuanced approaches to promoting digital well-being.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Social comparison theory, cultural learning theory & uses and gratifications theory may be used to anchor future studies on impact of social media on mental health and well-being across different cultures and age groups. Develop culturally sensitive interventions and digital literacy programs that equip individuals with the skills to navigate social media platforms in ways that promote mental well-being. Advocate for evidence-based policies that protect vulnerable populations from the harmful effects of social media while promoting digital inclusion and empowerment.

Kumari Culture: A Ritualistic and Dialectic Performance

Cultural values and traditions including rites and rituals are the peculiar identities of ethnic groups in Nepal. Newars of Kathmandu valley is one of the indigenous ethnic groups of Nepal with enough prosperity in their unique cultural performances. Every performance in Newari culture, from a typical folklore to native language to the celebration of national Newari festivals, has their own distinguishing features. Among the several aesthetic performances of Newari community is 'Kumari Culture'. In Kathmandu valley, 'Kumari Culture' regards to one of the sacred and idiosyncratic ritual performance where a young girl of age gap between 2-5 belonging to Newar Buddhist community is chosen as the divinity of goddess. The selected 'Kumari', regarded as a living goddess, is then worshipped by entire Nepali citizen. Kumari culture is believed to be originated from ancient Malla reign in the kingdom. Nonetheless, much controversy has arisen regarding Kumari culture in the recent times. Some critics call this culture as a system of child labour whereas, some advocate for the abolishment for its connection to the Royal history. Yet, Kumari culture is a holy form of Newa: Cultural performance that has its own inherent significance. Hence, this paper attempt to examine multi-dimensions of Kumari culture by assessing ritual performances of this culture. Finally, this paper affirms for the recognition of spiritual and dialectical performance of Kumari culture. I would be developing my argument within the fundamental theoretical insights of Richard Schechner and Victor Turner, incorporating the parameters of qualitative analysis.

Efforts of Nepal's Least Developed Countries (LDC) Graduation and Its Challenges

The primary objectives of this study are to examine the initiatives undertaken by the government of Nepal for LDC graduation, identify challenges faced during process, and discuss the potential impact of graduation. This study is based on qualitative analysis of secondary data obtained from diverse domestic and international sources. Major sources include literature reviews, government policies, reports, and international declarations. Comprehensive desk review on the issue shows that Nepal has undertaken a strategic plan for LDC graduation, prioritizing investments in human capital, infrastructure, and healthcare, while addressing income disparities. Nepal has already achieved two requirements; HAI and EVI, and Nepal fell significantly short of the LDC graduation threshold of a per capita GNI. The plan includes achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and progressing from a lower-middle income to an upper-middle-income nation by 2030.Despite progress, Nepal faces challenges in achieving graduation, including political instability, governance issues, and environmental vulnerabilities. The country lags in good governance rankings, which could hinder its development efforts. Nepal's commitment to SDGs is seen as a potential driver for LDC graduation, focusing on sustainability, gender equality, clean energy, job creation, and economic development. Nepal aims to become a high-income country by 2043, emphasizing poverty reduction, trade balance improvement, and overall quality of life enhancement. Leaving the LDC category will bring opportunities but also challenges, including the loss of special market access that was provided to the least developed countries like Nepal. Other challenges may involve growing trade and market capacity and strengthening the global competitiveness of internal production. Internally, intersectional variations of inequalities and poverty among and between regions, castes and ethnic groups in Nepal may generate challenges meeting LDC graduations and its sustainability.

Economic Empowerment of Dalits through I/NGOs

Empowerment is generally understood as raising people's present status by providing various means such as knowledge, skills, and resources. Currently, in Nepal, various I/NGOs are working in the field of political, social, and economic empowerment of poor and disadvantaged people through different programs and plans. International donors and the government working towards poverty alleviation have tended to give priority to Dalits because they are one of the poorest and most backward groups in Nepal. On one hand, Dalits' issues of development are being talked about by all sectors of Nepal, but their poverty rate is double the national average. Therefore, this study examined whether Dalit-focused development interventions lead to economic development. The findings of this study revealed the fact that everyone has experienced a change compared to the past, but it is very hard to determine the sole change maker. Also, the projects and programs have often had no meaningful participation from Dalits. Despite the widespread use of the term Dalit in the field of development, not a single project targeting Dalits is in operation. This fact indicates that the economic empowerment of Dalits is in only slogans and in the progress reports of the organizations rather than in a real sense. On the one hand, there is politics in the name of Dalit inclusion, and on the other hand, they are unable to prosper in their life from the support. The majority of Dalits' situations are almost the same in as the past whereas the majority of non-Dalits bring comprehensive change in their life. If this situation continues to lead to a huge socio-economic gap between Dalits and non-Dalits will be perilous for the future.

Prevalence of smoking among psychiatric patients in outpatient department of tertiary care centre: A descriptive cross-sectional study

Background: Even though psychiatric illness is a risk factor of smoking tobacco; only few studies have been conducted to estimate the prevalence of smoking among that patient group in Nepal. Our study aims to determine the prevalence of smoking among psychiatric patients in the outpatient department of tertiary care centre. Material and Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the psychiatric outpatient department of a tertiary care centre from 27th March to 27th May, 2022 following ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 577/078-079). A convenience sampling technique was used to include 398 patients, who were assessed for tobacco use behaviour using a semi-structured questionnaire and nicotine dependence using the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence instrument. Data was collected using the “KoBo toolbox” Android mobile application and analysed using Microsoft Excel, Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25.0, and R Studio. Point estimates and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Results: The prevalence of current smokers was 104 (26.13%) (21.88-30.74 at 95%CI). The prevalence of past smokers was 48 (12.06%) (9.03-15.67 at 95% CI). Nicotine dependence was present in 75(72.12%) of the 104 current smokers and 40 (83.33%) among 48 past smokers. Conclusion: Our study found a lower prevalence of smoking among participants compared to other similar studies conducted at the national level.

Ignorance of Local Needs in Construction of New Houses of the Earthquake Hit Dalit Community in Central Nepal

This article asserts ignorance of local knowledge system, need, social, and cultural settings in construction of earthquake resilient houses in Dalit community. Dalit communities are considered as economically backward ethnic caste group in Nepal. The article is based on the field study carried out in Dhading district of Bagmati Province. The guiding theoretical framework of the study is the anthropology of disaster focusing on resilience through holistic approach to reveal undermining of local contexts in reconstruction of private houses. The methodological approach consists of qualitative research tools supplemented by household census.
 As part of earthquake resilient house construction, the government of Nepal provided cash grant support to the families with severely damaged houses. Such families identified as red card holders. Findings of the study clearly reveal that the cash support is not enough to address the local social and cultural needs of Dalits in construction of houses. There is heterogeneity in Dalit communities in terms of social cultural bonding, social relations, and economic status. The cash support in the lump sum basis under the blanket policy approach regardless of household income, family background, and economic status hardly address the local contexts. Most importantly, the construction process highly concentrated on building of house structures in the prescribed standards of the government focusing on technical engineering rather than accommodation of local settings and needs.

Socio-Demography of Tamang Community in Nepal

Tamang is one of the largest ethnic groups in Nepal. They live scattered all around the country, and they live in the hilly region of the country. This paper highlights the caste, culture and demographic status of the Tamang people of Nepal. This study is based on secondary information which has obtained from the published literature. Tamangs have a rich culture, tradition and religion. They are followers of Bon and Buddhism. Farming is a major source of income. Most of them are dependent on agricultural work. Tamang is socially, economically and educationally back warded ethnic group of the country. The illiteracy rate is still higher than other castes. Also, they have a high rate of school dropouts because of their poor economic family background and poor academic progress. Half of the Tamang children have to work in addition to attending schools; they do not play a significant role to bring change in their social and economic status. They are rich in their language, culture, arts and skill. Tamang's various rites, rituals and skills of painting attract foreigners. Tamang community is socially, economically and educationally back warded. They should be addressed by the considered agency from exploitation and backwards community.

Training and seed production spillovers and technology adoption: The case of seed producer groups in Nepal

AbstractRice farmers in developing countries are often vulnerable to drought which can drastically reduce yields. Stress‐tolerant rice varieties (STRVs) can mitigate this vulnerability, as can having a high seed replacement rate (SRR) and using best management practices (BMPs) in rice cultivation. However, access to high‐quality STRV seed is often limited. This article uses propensity‐score weighted regressions to estimate the spillover effects of seed producer groups (SPGs) in Nepal. It compares adoption rates of STRVs and BMPs, and the SRR of non‐member households in villages with SPGs and in villages adjacent to these compared to other control villages in the region. According to a range of results from weighted models, non‐members in SPG villages and adjacent villages are 24–32 percentage points more likely to have adopted an STRV compared to non‐members in control villages. Non‐members in SPG and adjacent villages have a higher SRR, and households in SPG villages are more likely to use some BMPs compared to non‐members in control villages. Results suggest that SPGs have the potential to improve the resilience of communities in the face of climate change.

Statistically Left Outs and Socio-Historically Legitimized Groups in Nepal

This article explores the realities underpinning the statistically left outs and socio-historically legitimized groups in Nepal by relating the Vedic and Western theoretical perspectives to perceive the reality at the grassroots level. It does so by summarizing the Vedic perspectives and various sociological theories and then looking at the local issues linking with the Western perspectives with my reflection. It reveals that experiential knowledge, globalization, and legitimization are the major sociological aspects influencing the Structure of Nepalese society. The article concludes that the ruling class prepares Statistical data for their purpose, which leaves out the actual/accurate data about the subaltern, ethnic, and minority groups. Voices of the poor students, girls, ethnic and minority group of the School can be addressed by making the policy in education and transforming the school structure with inclusive pedagogy into equity and equality social environment for the students is the major implication of this article.

Improving adolescent health literacy through school-based health literacy intervention: a mixed-method study protocol

BackgroundHealth-promoting actions might benefit from adolescent health literacy (AHL), however, there is scant research on it in Nepal. This study identifies adolescent students’ health literacy (HL) needs and trials an intervention to improve their HL and intention to take health-promoting actions.MethodsThis study employs a pre-and post-test mixed-method intervention involving three phases. First, we will conduct a formative and summative evaluation to identify participants’ HL needs and design an intervention using quantitative and qualitative methods. Second, the intervention will be administered to the intervention group. Finally, formative and summative post-tests will be conducted to assess the effectiveness of the intervention. We will select four community schools from Birendranagar municipality based on random sampling. In quantitative research, data will be collected from adolescents selected through a census with standardized scales such as the HLS-Child-Q15, self-efficacy, social support, and health-promoting actions. A framework analysis was conducted to analyze qualitative data collected from focus group discussions with purposively chosen adolescents and key informant interviews with Health and Physical Education teachers and school nurses. The difference in difference approach will be used to analyze the intervention’s outcome, i.e., the participants’ improved HL, and health-promoting actions.DiscussionThis is one of the first studies to explore HL in this group in Nepal. This study will provide the first insights into the overall level of AHL, potential AHL determinants, and the relationship between AHL and the intention to participate in health-promoting activities. The data can then be used to inform health promotion and health literacy initiatives.

Perception of dalits who entered civil service through reservation system in Nepal

Historically, Dalits have been one of the most marginalized caste groups in Nepal. Always pushed to the fringes of society, deprived of opportunities to make their way out of caste-based hierarchy, Dalits have always been among the lower rungs of society. To eliminate such discriminations and ensure their adequate representation at least in civil service, the concept of reservation, or quota-based hiring was introduced. This exploratory study attempts to understand how Dalits who have entered the civil service through the reservation system perceive themselves as civil servants. As per the findings of this study, Dalits who have entered the government through reservation system feel isolated and perceive others see them as incapable and not trustworthy. They also feel there exists an indirect discrimination in society which is something that they have experienced all their life. The study confirmed that Dalits who enter the government civil service through reservation system aspire to receive more encouragement at work, as they perceive such thrust will nurture confidence and result in better performance, but their caste status seems to have created problems to realize their aspiration into reality.

Pattern of Deaths among Women of Reproductive Age in Major Autopsy Centres of Capital Cities of the Seven Provinces of Nepal.

The females in the reproductive age group are vulnerable to injuries and diseases. There is no reliable evidence of the pattern of deaths in reproductive age group females from Nepal. This study was conducted to explore the patterns of deaths of females of the reproductive age group in Nepal. A multicentric quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among the 611 deceased females of age 15 to 49 years who had undergone medico-legal autopsy in major autopsy centers of the capital cities of seven provinces of Nepal in a duration of one year. The demographic, clinical, and causes of death data were retrieved from the records and analyzed. The intentional and unintentional causes were compared with the marital status, age groups, ethnicity, and deceased of rural and urban communities. Female reproductive age group deaths constituted 611 (20·64%) of the total autopsies. Suicide was the most common manner of death (413, 67·59%) followed by accident (121, 19·80%). The most common cause of suicide was hanging (258, 62·47%) followed by poisoning (149, 36·08%) whereas road traffic accident (72, 59·5%) was the commonest cause of accidental death. Intentional deaths were associated with higher risk to the females of younger age groups (p<0·001), ethnicity of the hilly region (p<0·001), and unmarried women (p=0·001). Suicide was the commonest manner of death among the autopsies of females of the reproductive age group in Nepal. Appropriate preventive strategies need to be developed to uplift the overall health, socioeconomic status, and general wellbeing of the females.

The Anthropology of Enthnationalism: The Politics of Difference

Along with the emergence of Maoist-insurgency in Nepal ethnic awareness pervaded through the society which advanced to the form of movement even it delivered a sharp stroke at the threshold of Constitutional assembly and till it is under tide passion. The project of nation state (re)structuring of federal Nepal is on the progress. This enterprise essentially demands for some common consensus in understanding the contested notions behind the politics of identity versus difference vis-a-vis ethnic nationalism or a liberal concept of civic state before venturing the most controversial debate in searching the federal-strands in order to form a consolidated nation state. Constitutional assembly and the major political parties found largely engaged with talking about people’s ethnicity, their culture and languages as the major constructive principles pivoting around at which the federal nations were conceived. While the constitution of Nepal was announced without identification of its federal provinces because of these undercurrent emotions.&#x0D; Ethnic classifications are rather arbitrary, they are changing over time - today's ethnicities are yesterday’s races, and they are different in different countries. While the dubiety on those dimensions to the extent of their nature of fluidity and situational applicability may supply sufficient ground for a clear-cut demarcation of a territorial boundary for any ethnic groups in Nepal. It is equally important to remind to this detail that how the globalized forces of hybridization is taking place. Hybridization is considered a powerful blurring process through which the elements of ethnicity, identity and purity with their boundary limitation becomes indistinct. Further, transnational and supranational context of inescapable globalized processes are of the great significant domains to this concern too.&#x0D; In this regard, rendering with some common conceptual references of intellectually satisfying literatures, this paper aims to have recourse in searching common unifying and embracing dimensions of an integral nationalism, a collective overarching Nepalese identity woven within a common national sovereignty through which all the differences and commonalities can be shared, practiced and recognized so that may create pressure to sublimate bare political yearnings and therefore, pleads for the people in public-spheres and the social scientists, intellectuals to broach and share their views.

Superficial venous thrombosis as a possible consequence of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine: two case reports

BackgroundMany scientists across the world got involved in the race to develop successful anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines to overcome COVID-19 pandemic. Among the different vaccines developed against SARS-CoV-2, Covishield was the first vaccine approved for emergency use in Nepal. We report two cases of Superficial Vein Thrombosis (SVT) for the first time in the literature after vaccination with the Chimpanzee Adenovirus-vectored Vaccine (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine).Cases presentationTwo cases, a 24-year-old young Chhetri male and a 62-year-old Chhetri female who have received Covishield (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) vaccine, developed pain in left calf after 2 weeks and 10 weeks of vaccination, respectively. Both the case belongs to the Chhetri ethnic group of Nepal. The pain became severe on the fourth week of immunization in the first case while the pain was acute and severe on the 10th week of vaccination in the second case. The first presented to emergency room and second case was referred to the emergency room from Orthopedic Clinic. On evaluation the first patient had normal vitals with no history of fever and swelling yet displayed non-radiating mild to moderate intensity pain localized to left leg below the knee which became aggravated by movements. In the second case however pain was more intense with other characteristics as first case. Both cases had low wells score (< 4). On local examination tenderness was noted on squeezing but other systemic examination findings of the patient were within normal limits in both cases. Among the numerous vaccines used to fight the battle against COVID-19 disease, the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine, Covishield, has been widely used in Nepal and India. Apart from other minor side effects, in few cases thromboses have been reported after vaccination of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, Covishield, vaccine.ConclusionThese cases reporting Superficial Vein Thrombosis may be an additional adverse effect to the list of adverse events associated with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, Covishield, vaccine. However, the benefits of the vaccine in breaking the chain of COVID 19 spread are certainly greater than the risk of thromboses.

Ethnomedicinal landscape: distribution of used medicinal plant species in Nepal

BackgroundThe risk of losing traditional knowledge of medicinal plants and their use and conservation is very high. Documenting knowledge on distribution and use of medicinal plants by different ethnic groups and at spatial scale on a single platform is important from a conservation planning and management perspective. The sustainable use, continuous practice, and safeguarding of traditional knowledge are essential. Communication of such knowledge among scientists and policy makers at local and global level is equally important, as the available information at present is limited and scattered in Nepal.MethodsIn this paper, we aimed to address these shortcomings by cataloguing medicinal plants used by indigenous ethnic groups in Nepal through a systematic review of over 275 pertinent publications published between 1975 and July 2021. The review was complemented by field visits made in 21 districts. We determined the ethnomedicinal plants hotspots across the country and depicted them in heatmaps.ResultsThe heatmaps show spatial hotspots and sites of poor ethnomedicinal plant use documentation, which is useful for evaluating the interaction of geographical and ethnobotanical variables. Mid-hills and mountainous areas of Nepal hold the highest number of medicinal plant species in use, which could be possibly associated with the presence of higher human population and diverse ethnic groups in these areas.ConclusionGiven the increasing concern about losing medicinal plants due to changing ecological, social, and climatic conditions, the results of this paper may be important for better understanding of how medicinal plants in use are distributed across the country and often linked to specific ethnic groups.

Empowerment of Women Through Self-Help Groups in Nepal

The empowerment of women is not a new concept. However, it is still a challenging issue in most developing countries like Nepal. This study attempts to assess women’s empowerment through self-help groups (SHGs) in Nepal. Knowledge, association, and participation are the leading indicators to measure the effect of SHGs on women’s empowerment. Data for this study is entirely based on the Nepal Social Inclusion Survey 2018, comprising 16,329 currently married women aged 15–49 years. The binary logistic regression method has been used to show the effect of SHGs on women's empowerment. Findings show that women’s active participation in SHGs matters in empowering women. Women who participate in SHGs are more empowered than those who do not participate and have no knowledge of SHGs. The influence of participation is found more effective, especially in the sociocultural domain, than in the economic and political spheres. The findings further show a gap among women members. The reasons for this difference may vary because empowerment is contextual. Thus, the local government, civil society, and women activists need to realize women’s inclusion and active participation in SHGs.