"I teach Nepali at the Roji Khola Primary School. I also work as a social mobiliser. Along with the other women in the village, we make plans and projects to furnish to the ward office and ultimately ensure they are materialised at the grassroots level. Our primary target is to empower women. When I started, there were only men going to important meetings, and women were confined to the household. Not that men going to meetings decreases our value but we wanted to participate in activities outside of the household. You see, here in our community the household is controlled by women. They are in charge of finances. Cash and valuables are at the jurisdiction of the women in the house. So we are already empowered. But the need for women representation outside of the household was particularly important for these rapidly changing times. So I along with other activists in the village started visiting households and requesting women for their participation. At first, it was difficult for women to take out time from their busy day but we expressed the need of women who are aware and can work alongside men to ensure our demands are also met. This realisation though slow did come. One woman would join us in our meetings and then she would talk to her neighbour and then the word spread. Women started coming in groups and this became an active group. We have named it Haatemaalo Mahila Manch (Haatemaalo Women Forum). There are laughter and tears. We share each other’s stories, identify problems, and seek out solutions. Those of us who actively worked to form this solidarity are very happy. We have also been able to raise enough funds to construct a building to be used for training, meetings, and other important events concerning the well-being of the villagers. It is a good thing and we are all proud. And that is what I teach my students too. To be proud of their achievement. To be hopeful of the future."
Jeewansari Gharti Pun, Bhume 1, Lukum, Rukum
#TheFutureIWant
SON X UN