From Struggle to Empowerment – The Journey of Amrita Chaudhary
In the small village of Ramuli Bairiya in of Brindaban Municipality-1, Rautahat, lives a 25-year-old woman whose determination and courage are gradually changing perceptions in her community. Amrita Kumari Chaudhary, a mother of two, has become an inspiring example of how resilience and opportunity can transform a life.
Amrita lives in a modest family of five with her husband, Jalchandra Chaudhary, their two children Anmol and Nikki and her 60-year-old mother-in-law, Basmatiya Devi Chaudhary. The family owns only a small piece of homestead land and has no other significant assets. Jalchandra works as a daily wage labor to support the family, while Amrita manages the household, cares for her elderly mother-in-law, and looks after the education and well-being of her children.
Life has not always been easy for Amrita. To help support the family, she often worked in other people’s agriculture fields. However, in the traditional social setting of Madhesh, where daughters-in-law are often expected to remain within the household, her decision to work outside brought criticism and negative remarks from people in the village.
“Earlier, when I went to work in the village, people used to talk behind my back. It hurt a lot,” Amrita recalls. “But I never gave up. I decided that my hard work would become my strength.”
Despite social pressure and challenges, Amrita continued working with determination. A significant turning point in her life came when she became involved in the Sunaulo Women Empowerment Center (WEC), implemented by RDC Nepal. Through this project, Amrita began participating in activities focused on women’s empowerment, leadership, and confidence-building. The project helped her recognize her own abilities and inspired her to think about new possibilities for her future.
“I always wanted to do something, but I didn’t know how or where to start,” she says. “After joining the project, I gained confidence and new motivation.”
Encouraged by this new sense of empowerment, Amrita started raising goats at home. Today, she manages around 15 goats, which has helped her take an important step toward financial independence and improved household income.
Her growing confidence motivated her to take an even bolder step. Amrita applied for a position as a temporary election police officer. In a community where daughters-in-law traditionally follow the Ghumto Pratha (veil) practice and rarely step into public roles, this decision attracted significant attention.
“When I filled out the form for election police, many people criticized me,” she remembers. “But after I got selected, the same people now come and say that if the opportunity opens again, they will also apply.”
Today, Amrita’s courage and determination are widely appreciated in her community. Her journey has not only improved her own life but has also inspired other women in the village to believe in their abilities and pursue opportunities beyond traditional boundaries.
Amrita Kumari Chaudhary’s story shows that with the right support, encouragement, and determination, rural women can overcome social barriers and become powerful agents of change within their communities.
