WAWCAS was founded in 2008 when Nina Schriver from Denmark and Sangeeta Shrestha from Nepal met in Nepal. They realized they shared a common dream—to empower women in the poorest regions of Nepal, helping them become independent, support themselves, and secure a brighter future for their children.

The WAWCAS Program empowers women by fostering social change and economic independence through business development, business training, and social development training. The program’s goal is to enable these women to lead dignified lives, reduce the gender gap, and ensure their children receive an education—thereby increasing their opportunities for the future.

As of July 2024, the WAWCAS team has trained nearly 7,000 women, helping them establish their own businesses. With a steady income, these women can enjoy a significantly improved quality of life and provide schooling for their children.

These women have secured high-quality education for their children—nearly 16,000 since the Program began in 2008.

The women are the inspiring mothers of their children who are experiencing the transformative effects of second-generation empowerment through access to education.

The WAWCAS Program expands year after year, continuously enhancing and professionalizing its scope. Each year, 900 new women join the program. WAWCAS encourages graduates to form their own local NGOs. In 2022, the first local NGO, WAWCAS Lamjung LNGO, was registered, now consisting of 2,300 women members.

In 2022, WAWCAS introduced Child Groups, offering children aged 8 to 14 the chance to participate in 10-month training sessions held twice a month. These groups focus on strengthening children's understanding of their human rights, including their unique rights as children, and enhancing their capacity to contribute to the development of better conditions for children. The groups also provide a safe space for leisure and personal growth.