SITA’S STORY
STRIVING FOR GENDER EQUALITY IN NEPAL
DECEMBER 4, 2023
Sita is an All Hands and Hearts (AHAH) mason trainee whose journey to gain equal access to education and fairly paid employment is an inspiring tale of resilience.
The AHAH Female Mason Training Project trains Nepali women in earthquake-resilient construction skills to encourage social and economic mobility in their communities. This initiative is part of a long-standing goal to foster more fairly paid employment opportunities for women and build a more resilient Nepal.
After years of adversity, Sita emerged as the sole breadwinner of her family, a feat uncommon by women in Nepal. Her drive and courage allowed her to overcome unsuccessful business endeavors, an abusive marriage and a lack of access to the same educational and professional opportunities as men.
SITA’S STORY
Sita was born and raised in Hariharpurgadhi, Sindhuli, and spent much of her childhood herding livestock and fetching water and firewood for her family. Sita enjoyed school and aspired to continue her education after high school but instead was compelled to find work due to her family’s financial struggles.
Finding sustainable employment proved a struggle for Sita throughout the years. Still, her intellectual and entrepreneurial spirit led her to complete training and pursue her own business in mushroom farming. However, insufficient capital and limited market access narrowed her venture to a small scale and made it impossible to meet her family’s financial needs. To fill the gap, she enrolled in a temporary police force mandated to conduct elections.
In December 2022, Sita joined All Hands and Hearts’ Female Mason Training Project on our seventh Nepal Earthquake Relief program in Hariharpugadhi. This was a turning point in her life.
When asked how it feels to be a part of this project, Sita shared:
“I am very pleased and feel lucky to be part of the program. I only have words of appreciation to offer. To be in the company of women and men from around the world and to be paid a fair wage feels very welcoming. My heart fills with joy and gives me extra motivation when I realize my efforts are going toward addressing the community’s need to rebuild resilient school structures.
I am optimistic that the Hariharpurgadhi rural municipality continues the positive initiatives set by AHAH and engages more women in local construction work to empower women to make a sustainable livelihood. I hope to trade these acquired skills in non-agricultural seasons or during financial stress and make a happy living.”
Despite unsuccessful business attempts and an unhealthy relationship, Sita was not defeated. Since her husband passed away, Sita took his place as the sole provider for her household and caregiver to her elderly parents and eight-year-old son.
Sita isn’t the first to stress the value of women’s access to education and academic degrees in Nepal. She notices that in this patriarchal society, women’s lives are often vulnerable and full of uncertainty. They are deprived of the same opportunities in education and training as men, making them unable to provide for themselves and, consequently, less independent.
We strive to continue to provide opportunities to empower women like Sita, who wish to discover what they are truly capable of.
Written by Deepak Khatri, AHAH’s Community Coordinator in Nepal and Elizabeth Jacobs, AHAH’s Social Media Coordinator
