By Amoghamati Traud-Dubois | Programme Manager
Ria (name changed) is an active member of Laligurans Mahila Samuha, a self help group set up and supported by ADWAN, Karuna's partner organisation in Nepal.
She lives with her husband and two children. Her husband works but the family income is very low even though they also do some subsistence farming.
Apart from the economic pressure Ria faces tremendous caste discrimination. She and her husband fell in love and married without the family consent. Ria comes from a dominant caste family but her husband is from Dalit background. Intercaste marriages are still seen as illegitimate and taboo by most Hindu families and her parents as a result rejected her. Ria’s family still haven't accepted her choice and she is banned from her parent's home. She suffers from patriarchal, religious and social traditional norms that restrict her severly.
With the support of the women’s group Ria gains confidence and learns about her rights also. ADWAN’s women empowerment programme makes a big difference in her understanding. The women here learn that caste discrimination is illegal, that both genders have equal rights and are entitled to live free from violence.
Ria joined the group in June 2019 and attended a training for bangles making and designing. Like this she gains skills which enable her to contribute to the family income and even earn a living. The training helps the group to become successful enterpreneurs in near future. The festival season has started in Nepal, so they believe they will be able to sell many of their products. All 15 members look more confident and vocal after the training and they are cooperating for setting up a small business which benefits all of them.
Ria says: "I've faced caste discrimination in my whole life. My family still doesn't support our marriage. I hope one day my parents will accept this marriage. I want to become confident and independent and I want to proof to society that women also can support and raise a family. This project helps myself and 14 other members to become skilled enterpreneurs."
Thank you for your support.
By Lizzie Guinness | Programme Manager
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