Empower Nepali Women with Entrepreneurship Skills

Across Nepal, a quiet crisis has been unfolding for years. Limited job opportunities have pushed millions of young people to seek work abroad, often in unsafe and exploitative conditions. Today, an estimated 3.5 million Nepalis — about 14% of the population — are employed overseas, with many facing wage theft, trafficking, and inhumane working environments. Stories like Shital’s show how access to practical skills and training can offer a powerful alternative, helping young people build secure, fulfilling futures right here in Nepal.

Shital grew up in a very traditional home in southwestern Nepal. As a girl, her aspirations and well-being were given little priority. Money was tight, and any extra resources were saved for her brothers.

Even without support at home, Shital was a bright and motivated student. She scored well on the challenging Secondary Education Exam (SEE, or “Iron Gate”) at the end of the 10th grade. Only about 50% of students pass this rigorous exam — and the rate is even lower in rural areas like hers.

But just a few months into 11th grade, Shital’s dreams were crushed when her family forced her to drop out of school and marry a local man. She became completely financially dependent on her husband, who refused to pay for even the basic necessities for Shital or their baby son.

Everything changed when Shital learned that Nepal Youth Foundation (NYF) was bringing a village-based Electrical Training Course to her area in 2022. She quickly signed up, completely unfazed by being the only woman in a group of 23 trainees. The program provided her with technical skills — and just as importantly, the confidence and dignity she had long been denied.

Shital thrived in the course, laying the foundation for a remarkable personal and professional transformation. She now enjoys a place of high respect within her family, and her son is enrolled in a good school. And her personal mission has expanded.

After earning her electrician’s certification, Shital was immediately hired by a construction company in Kathmandu, where she worked for 10 months. When NYF expanded the Olgapuri Vocational School Electrical Program, we invited her to join our staff as an instructor.

Today, Shital is employed by NYF as an electrical trainer, helping other young adults access the same life-changing opportunities she once received. Most importantly, she is making an incredible impact by empowering youth to stay in Nepal and build their futures at home.

Shital shares this message with the NYF community:

“Not everyone can pursue higher education, but vocational training can change lives in just a few months. If the next generation combines education with practical skills, there are endless opportunities right here in Nepal. Youth do not have to migrate abroad and leave their families and communities to earn a living. Be true, disciplined, and work selflessly. Success will follow you. We don’t need to go abroad to find happiness — we can build our dreams right here at home.”

Shital’s journey is just one example of how your support of NYF’s Empower Women with Entrepreneurial Skills project is transforming lives. With your partnership, women across Nepal are gaining the skills, confidence, and opportunities they need to become self-reliant, support their families, and strengthen their communities — all without leaving home.

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Namaste from Nepal Youth Foundation!

Thanks to your support, NYF’s Vocational Education & Career Counseling (VECC) program is creating powerful opportunities for women and youth in Dhangadhi, located in Nepal’s far-western Sudurpashchim Province. In partnership with Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City, NYF has been providing market-driven vocational training since July 2023 to address the region’s urgent need for dignified employment—especially for women, who often face limited opportunities and high barriers to entry in the workforce.

A key success this year was the Dhangadhi Skill & Employment Fair held in March 2025, which drew over 4,800 applicants. From this group, 1,040 youth were selected to participate, with 181 trainees engaging in practical workshops across seven trades: electrical, plumbing, barbering, furniture-making, refrigeration, welding, and fast food preparation. Impressively, 50% of the participants were women—underscoring the growing demand for inclusive economic opportunity in this region.

While NYF’s new satellite Olgapuri Vocational School in Dhangadhi is still under construction and scheduled to open in June 2025, young women from this region are already benefitting from training opportunities in Kathmandu. Our six-month Industrial Tailoring Program, designed specifically for young women, is currently offered at the Olgapuri Vocational School in the capital. Between July 2023 and June 2024, 151 women traveled from communities like Dhangadhi to take part in this life-changing training. In addition to hands-on tailoring instruction, participants also receive basic business education to help them find employment or start their own tailoring enterprises when they return home. Many graduates are already planning to open small shops or offer services from their households—building financial independence while uplifting those around them.

These programs are part of NYF’s broader effort to reduce underemployment in Sudurpashchim Province, where youth underemployment remains at a staggering 44.3%. By providing hands-on training, entrepreneurial skills, and job placement support, NYF is empowering young women to create self-sufficient, financially secure futures for themselves and their families.

Thank you for being part of this transformation. Your support is equipping Nepali women with the tools they need to thrive—and helping entire communities grow stronger.

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