International Women’s Day: Female Mason Training in Nepal and Beyond
Why do we do it?
March 7, 2025
Across the world, societal norms have long dictated different opportunities for men and women. While all humans are born with the same potential, traditional structures have often placed men in positions of economic advantage while limiting women’s access to education and employment.
In many traditional, agrarian cultures, men are considered assets — trained, educated and given opportunities to grow in status — while women are expected to assume domestic roles, caring for children and elders, managing household tasks and collecting essential resources like water and firewood. The result? A lack of livelihood options, financial dependence and a cycle of poverty that persists across generations.
This inequality is particularly pronounced in construction, where men overwhelmingly dominate the workforce. Women’s physical ability to engage in labor-intensive work has often been dismissed, despite their immense potential to contribute meaningfully to rebuilding efforts — especially in communities recovering from disasters.
Introducing the Female Mason Training Program
To challenge these norms and empower women through vocational skills, All Hands and Hearts (AHAH) piloted the Female Mason Training (FMT) Program in Nepal in 2017. The program recruits women from local communities and provides them with disaster-resilient and sustainable construction training, equipping them with the skills needed to secure employment and support their families.
AHAH recognizes that helping rebuild improved, disaster-resilient infrastructure is a huge, vital step for a community recovering from disaster, but new structures alone are not enough for sustained progress. Communities thrive not only through physical assets but also by investing in human potential and ensuring equitable opportunities for all. FMT is one way to create integrated, lasting impacts, both for the women enrolled and the communities they help rebuild.
“My skills have been enhanced and my confidence has been boosted. I was a little shy and fearful initially, but after interacting with so many people, I am confident to interact with them. I have learned to be organized, careful about work safety and very efficient in my communication. Also, the opportunity of sharing space with fellow strong women has allowed me to live their stories and the way to navigate the life after shocks and turmoil.” – Tirtha, FMT alumni in Nepal (Bhanubakta)
From Nepal to the Philippines and Mexico
After the success of the program in Nepal, AHAH expanded the FMT Program to Mexico and the Philippines in 2024. In these countries, women face similar barriers to entering skilled labor fields, despite the need for trained workers in rebuilding efforts. One encouraging sign from the current program in Nepal is its ripple effect: women in the community, inspired by FMT participants, are stepping forward as day volunteers. As the program grows, we continue to explore its broader impact on their lives and opportunities.
Mexico
In earthquake- and hurricane-affected regions of Mexico, female masons are gaining hands-on training to construct safer, more resilient infrastructure. By equipping them with these skills, the program opens doors to sustainable employment, while also challenging long-held perceptions about female roles in construction.
The Philippines
As a country frequently impacted by typhoons and flooding, the Philippines greatly benefits from FMT’s disaster-resilient and sustainable construction techniques. Here, trained women are rebuilding infrastructure and enhancing disaster preparedness within their communities, with the aim of passing their knowledge on to future generations.
The Female Mason Training Program is more than just a skills initiative, it’s a catalyst for change. By empowering women with opportunities in construction, AHAH is helping to rebuild disaster-affected communities while reshaping perceptions of what women can achieve. As the program expands, so does its impact. FMT proves that when women build, communities thrive.
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