Life in Nepal’s Informal Settlements: An ARISE Photovoice Project

Through the Responsive Challenge Fund, ARISE partnered with local NGO PHASE Nepal to carry out implementation research to assess the status of living conditions and accountability in informal settlements through a mixed method study.

This book was produced with the support of community members from the Manohara and Namuna Basti informal settlements of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, with strong input from local co-researchers. Photovoice is a participatory research method used to gather the lived experiences of participants through photography and interviews.

The images taken by participants were collected in three rounds, followed by in-depth interviews. Participants were asked to select five images that best represented their stories. The entire process was participatory, and co-creation with community members helped to explore predefined themes in greater depth.

This book is a selection of some of those images that describe the experiences and priorities of people living in informal settlements. The photos, taken by single women, co-researchers, daily wage workers, community leaders, and people with disabilities, cover themes such as living conditions, livelihoods, access to services, mental health, environmental risks, WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene), and vulnerable populations.

All names have been changed to protect the participants.

Nepal Photovoice