6. Conclusion6.1 Status of participants
Women aged 17-40 have participated in the Navajyoti training sponsored by Mahila ko Haat. Most fall in the 17-25 age bracket. These included 17 unmarried girls, some of whom got married later and unfortunately could not utilize the skills that they learned because they became full-time housewives. Three girls got married within a year of finishing the training, which could suggest that the training made them eligible for marriage. But this affected their ability to contribute to society. Thus, the findings indicate that it is more fruitful to train married women with permanent homes, as they are more likely to apply their skills in the future. In addition, many of the women have not been able to use their skills because of social and political reasons, mainly due to the insurgency. The older trainees have inspired positive thoughts in their families and societies. In future, it will be important to record the contributions of the trainees to society after the course has finished.
As the stories above indicated, the trainees sponsored by Mahila ko Haat have had difficult pasts. Illiteracy, low self-esteem, attempted suicide, mental distress and broken families were just some of the problems that they faced. These women did not have the confidence to stand on their own feet but have changed significantly after the training and now are able to speak in front of a large gathering with ease. Some of them have done so well that it is difficult to believe that at one time they lacked confidence and had a troubled past.
The past 10 years have witnessed attempts at positive social change, though at a slow pace. Governmental and non-governmental organizations have started programs to mobilize local people even in remote areas. Some Mahila ko Haat trainees have been able to join such organizations and conduct various types of training to enable local people to make a living. Some deliver training in governmental programs or in schools, conduct literacy classes for adolescent girls, or lead sewing and stitching classes in VDC programs.
Some training graduates worked in the health sector; others have contributed towards a clean society by leading movements against alcohol, gambling and superstitions. They have earned a good name in society because of these contributions. The biggest achievement of the training has been to develop confidence in these women. Those who once spent their time crying in a corner are now able to wipe someone else’s tears.
Some trainees have improved their lives by pursuing higher education, some by mastering a profession. Some have been able to get jobs. Thus, we can conclude that the investment made by Mahila Ko Haat in these women has not gone in vain. However, due to their lack of access to local resources, lack of coordination with governmental and non-governmental organizations, lack of routine inspection, the insurgency and other political problems, some women have not been able to utilize their capabilities.
6.2 Recommendations
The women sponsored by Mahila ko Haat have made some suggestions of ways to improve the training. Those are:
1) Shanti is an example of a woman who was able to change her abusive husband and make her life peaceful. On the other hand, Hira of Dolakha has not yet been successful. Forming pressure groups in villages to work to end abuse against women would be helpful. Local institutions and women-led groups should develop policies to advocate for the rights of abused women.
2) Though training the physically challenged is not a primary objective of Mahila ko Haat, many such women have been trained. Kavita, a physically challenged girl from Ilam, has been able to earn the respect of society by participating in social services and has started a small business. However, another physically challenged girl, Chandani, from Kathmandu, has not succeeded in her mission of organizing women into groups in order to educate them. Chandani has not been able to succeed in Kathmandu, the land of opportunity for Nepalese, while Kavita has succeeded in Ilam, where one finds far fewer opportunities. This indicates that there should be variations in training according to the trainees’ home centers.
3) The training on tailoring and knitting is insufficient. The trainees should be given at least two weeks of revision classes where they learn to sew clothes that are popular in their own region.
4) The curriculum on reproductive health and family planning should be elaborated and fit to the needs of women in villages.
5) Farmers have to be encouraged to improve their traditional farming methods. Therefore, they need technical and practical knowledge about seasonal/unseasonable crops and cash crops.
6) The trainees come from remote areas and are usually illiterate or just literate. When they return to their villages after the training they can hardly apply their skills without external support. Therefore, if Mahila ko Haat could communicate about the trainees to local level organizations in their respective districts, they could get the necessary help and guidance on time.
7) All the participants agreed that the training was very enlightening and fruitful. They suggested that gradual changes should be made to the curriculum in keeping with the changing times. They further suggested that the one month allocated for presentation at the end should be reduced and another subject or skill be taught instead.
8) Different organizations have vocational training programs for women, but only a few have programs to encourage or uplift the spirits of women who are victims of domestic violence and conflict. If everyone cooperates in such trainings, victimized women would get a new life.
6.3 Messages from ex-trainees
My life was doomed after my husband died. This training has lightened my dark life and now I am hopeful of a better life. I am encouraged to do something for society.
Gita Dhungel, Ramechap
I had studied till Grade 10. But this training has dwarfed my bookish education and I feel like I was illiterate till now. I have the responsibility of teaching the women of my village all the good things that I have learnt in the training.
Birmaya Tamang, Magurmadi, Jhapa
I was already in financial crisis; the daily pressure to join the Maoist movement was too much of a burden; and I even attempted suicide. But after learning to read and write and other skills during the training, I have become confident. Thanks to Mahila ko Haat! Thanks to Navajyoti! They gave opportunity to a person like me who was not able to go to school because of financial difficulty and physical disability. Now, I am a tailoring instructor and have thus shared my skills and also supported my family.
Pratima Lohar, Panchakanya, Ilam
My husband, the only earning member of our family, died in an accident in Saudi Arabia one year ago. My two sons were orphaned. It took a month to bring his dead body to Nepal. My dreams of a cozy house and happy life drowned in my tears. At that time I met the chairperson of Mahila ko Haat. I joined this training with her help. I hope I will be able to look after my children and many other troubled women like me. Thanks to Mahila ko Haat and Navajyoti for wiping my tears.
Urmila Rai, Panchakanya, Ilam
My husband was killed by the Maoists when I was in my parents’ home. My two-year-old son was with me. After my husband’s death, I felt like a wanderer who has lost their way. Then Mahila ko Haat contacted INSEC about supporting victims like me. Through Mahila ko Haat I joined the training in Navajyoti. That training lifted my spirits and I am working as a police officer now. Previously I was tired of life, but now I am helping my son have a better future.
Manu Gurung, Ghorahi, Dang
References
Deuba, Arju Rana. 2006. Changing Roles of Nepali Women due to Ongoing Conflicts & its impact. Kathmandu: SAMANTA Institute for Social and Gender Equality, SAMANTA Studies, No.6.
INSEC. 2006. Human Rights Year Book 2006.
INSEC. 2007. Human Rights Year Book 2007.
एक्सन एड नेपाल। डिसेम्बर २००८। नेपालमा विद्यमान जातीय छुवाछुत र यसको निराकरण गर्ने रणनितीक अभियान।