The Pashupati Women Empowerment Dialogue Centre has brought many positive changes in the lives of women, along with several other meaningful transformations. This empowerment centre, implemented by Rural Development Centre (RDC) Nepal with financial support from Oxfam in Nepal under BCRC project, has helped participating women in building confidence, especially in speaking freely and expressing their thoughts without hesitation.
Through regular interaction and dialogue, the women participants have learned that they must themselves search for their rights. They have also gained the courage to understand how plans are prepared and how those plans can be taken forward up to the ward level. Women who were previously limited to household responsibilities are now actively participating in community programs and meetings. They are confidently sharing their opinions and arguments in various gatherings held in their tole and surrounding communities.
The women of the Pashupati Dialogue Centre now clearly understand the meaning and importance of equality and dignity, as well as the difference between them. A strong realization has developed among them that women are not only meant to stay within the kitchen and household work, but should participate equally with men in community and tole development activities.
Similarly, women who were previously deprived of knowledge, skills, and opportunities have now gained the energy and confidence to move forward if proper opportunities made available. Following the submission of a application with plan at the ward level requesting skill-based training, the women again gathered to raise their voices and question whether the issue was included in the budget or not. Their collective voice and advocacy created an environment where the Mayor himself visited the tole. The women formally submitted an application requesting skill-based training such as shoe and sandal making. The Mayor responded positively to their request. He asked them to share what types of machines do required and also suggested to include more people from the community. This act of submitting letters, advocating for their needs, and demanding support for self-reliance has become their first major step of courage and a strong source of motivation which is one of the achievements of this WEC session.
In addition, awareness among the women regarding community issues has also increased significantly. The women raised their voices against the illegal extraction and transportation of gravel and sand from the Bakaiya River located near Pashupati tole, recognizing that such activities could create serious problems for the local community. This initiative itself stands as one of the first major steps and achievements of women in the community.
The courage shown by the women of the Pashupati Women Empowerment Dialogue Centre in Gujara-3 to raise their voices and stand for community issues is a remarkable success. Reaching this level of confidence and leadership is a successful outcome of the efforts made through the BCRC project implemented by RDC Nepal with the support of Oxfam in Nepal.
