I grew-up in Nepal. In a society where women did not chat about politics, because women were not part of any political agenda and it wasn’t our place to speak about what the country should be doing. It was an absolute bizarre concept for women to be involved in decision making.
Ridiculous right?
Woman Representative of Ward No. 1 Bajura: Bhimi Nepali shares her life experience of a world she grew up in where a woman was not allowed to dream, a world where people said, even looking at a woman's ankle will bring bad luck. But here she is believing that there is no limit to a woman's growth and wants to encourage the coming generation of young women to be active in politics.
The struggle for women’s equality and political participation goes back more than a century, spanning the period of political instability and fight for democracy in Nepal. However, Nepali women’s engagement in social, economic, and political arenas have not been properly documented. Hence, when we look back in history we have minimal documentation of women’s participation even though there have been women who have fought against all odds and stood against society to demand for justice and the rights of women. Some were ostracized, some were jailed and many were silenced.
After emotional wellbeing session, she told the class:
'We must do what we can in our capacity, we have to accept our realities and shine in the world, no matter how small it may be, and not be unhappy! I know, for a fact, most part of this world will not know my existence or even Bajura's existence. So why go according to a world, for whom we don't exist?'
The patriarchal system of Nepal still persists but it has been challenged intensely over the years, with women’s movements taking political charge as well. The introduction of affirmative action in 2007 and the promulgation of the new constitution in 2015 guaranteed 33 per cent of all seats in the Constituent Assembly to women. After the end of the armed conflict that saw the country transition from a monarchy to a federal democratic republic, the country also embraced women’s roles in high political office, including a woman President – Bidhya Devi Bhandari.
Vice mayor of Badimalika municipality Bajura shares her love for volleyball and wants to improve the sports budget for the district
#womeninpolitics
It is imperative to acknowledge progress in the country, but it is equally necessary to be aware of the capacity in which women are allowed to participate. I say allowed because most women in parliament are not given means to improve their political literacy, which hinders meaningful political participation.
'When I got my first job, Chaipadi nearly costed my employment as every month I had to take leave for five days. So I made a fake letter from my office and gave it to my parents saying that your daughter will be fired if she isn't allowed to come to work during her periods. That's my story'
Juna Dani
Founder of 'Mahila Bikas Manch'
There is an obvious difference between women and men in politics. For example, in order to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, the Government of Nepal created a COVID-19 advisory committee consisting of seven men and no women. This lack of representation and nominating only men to make the most important decisions during a global crisis shows the stance the government takes when it comes to women’s leadership. Moreover, media hesitate to highlight women’s achievements as political leaders and women with power are often victims of character assassination. There needs to be a shift in harmful cultural and social norms that say women can participate but only within set boundaries that don’t challenge existing gender roles and responsibilities assigned to women and men.
'I've given birth to 15 children, yes 15! There is no way you can say men and women's needs are the same. I've always known that if I was taken care of better, my life would have been less of a struggle and more wholesome as a mother.'
Dhanamati Thapa
Ward member
I work in an organization that tries to improve women’s grass-roots political participation in the Sudurpashchim (Far West) Province of Nepal. This province has some of the highest poverty and lowest literacy rates in the country. The lack of infrastructure and harsh weather conditions make it very hard to access.
'I used to cut grass, then go to school and on my way back change into home clothes and cut another basket of grass on my way home. We did not have electricity in the village, lights reached bajura around 5 years back. So mother used to light a part of the tree 'salla' - would and show us light so we three sisters could study. I owe it to my mother.'
Krishna Dani
In Bajura, one of the most remote districts in Sudurpaschim, you will find the most determined and courageous women who are fighting against all odds to make their voices heard. The women in these photos are elected women and community leaders who are learning about leadership, entrepreneurship, and the important role of women in politics. Within the quota system, every ward requires women’s representation, including that of ‘Dalit women’, to reduce caste-based discrimination.
'How different do you think? We really are tell me you never felt like an object, jailed or a nobody in your entire life. We are not so different, madam.'
Suna B.K.
Ward no:9 - Dalit Women Member
I am no veteran in this field, but with seven years of experience, I have come to understand that what we lack is teaching young women ‘leadership’. We don’t encourage women to take up space.
'I am looking at you and speaking to you, that itself is my progress at age 46.'
Bharuni Kumari
These pictures tell the story of women in Bajura participating and being present in their own lives; taking up space in society and knowing their own worth, all of which was previously unimaginable and unknown to them.
'I am going to be the change, I will fight 100 men alone if I have to, if that means the daughters of My Community will face less violence after I am gone'
Kala Badwal
Ward Chairperson, Badimalika-Bajura
The women who are now in politics don’t have it easy, but most of them are courageous women who participate with dedication to do whatever they can to be heard.
'I was raised by the community after my parents died, and I have vowed to give my best to the community that gave me a life'
Ward No:7
Preet Shah is a Project Manager for Tewa, an organization in Nepal supporting women to organize, raise their voices collectively and transform discriminatory policies, systems, norms, and practices through funding and capacity building. Preet is specifically working on enhancing capacity and improving livelihoods of elected women in Bajura, Sudurpaschim, Nepal. The project is supported by Womankind Worldwide. Local partners include FEDO (Feminist Dalit Organisation) and WHR (Women for Human Rights).