Empowerment
The
Himalayan Times
1 December
2016
Empowerment
It is said that educating a
mother is to educate the whole family which is applicable to any society, be it
in Asian countries or western countries. However, this saying is more relevant
to our society where the women literacy rate is comparatively lower than men
literacy rate. Making a woman literate is ultimately to empower her for facing
the challenges in her life. The government has done some remarkable job in this
area albeit it has a long way to go “Govt committed to empowering women, says
DPM Nidhi” (THT, 29 Nov.Page 2). Free education to girl up-to school leaving
certificate level, 33 % of women representatives in the legislative parliament
and at-least one women leader in each ward of a VDC are some of the provisions
the government has made to empower women. The new constitution has also ensured
women rights all the levels.
While I contemplate my past 25
years of working in bilateral development projects, I feel proud to share my
experiences in the field of community empowerment in general and women members
in particular. Several health related activities were carried out by the women
members after they were provided with simple management training in order to
address their common health problems. Lives of many innocent children and old
people could be saved by the women group members. Water borne diseases were lessened
from their communities by implementing personal hygiene and sanitation programme.
Trained women group members were able to chase away bad practices from their
communities.
Rai Biren Bangdel
Maharajgunj.
