The Nepali Times, a respectable newspaper in Nepal, has published an article written by Jeerawat Na Thalang (’11) about her impressions during her international project this summer in Nepal. Jeerawat, a native of Thailand, has written about the women’s empowerment efforts she witnessed during her work with Rural Education and Development (READ) Global in rural Nepal.
“I am very proud and very glad that my story is published in this respectable newspaper.” she said. “The Nepali Times is regarded as one of the most influential news sources for decision makers in Nepal. I will brag about it for the rest of my days.”
Kunda Dixit, editor of the Times, an English-language weekly newspaper, suggested the story idea to Jeerawat after she told him of her impression about her internship during a meeting in Kathmandu late July. Below an excerpt from the story. Click here to read the full article.
Women I met during my stay in Nepal last month changed my perception of gender inequality in South Asia, and helped change my notions of social truths in Nepal.
In Dadeldhura, I met Shakuntala Nagarkoti, a 35-year-old leader of a women’s group that works for community improvement. Shakuntala is outspoken, owns her own photocopy business, and thinks men waste too much time and money on alcohol.
Shankuntala and her group of 15 took action. First, they convinced women in the village to ban the sale of raksi during the day. Then they trained them in management to enable women to invest savings from raksi not consumed to other small businesses.
“When women have control over their money, it’s good for their children,” said Shakuntala. Previously, the women of Dadeldhura used to hand over all their income to their husbands, who would spent it on drinking instead of food and schooling.
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