Dalit Women Leadership Development Academy Launched in Jeetpursimara, Bara

KATHMANDU. A Dalit Women Leadership Development Academy has been launched in Jeetpursimara Sub-Metropolitan City, Bara. The academy was initiated by the National Forum For Advocacy Nepal (NAFAN) under its ‘Dalit Empowerment and Livelihood’ program.

The academy aims to develop the leadership capacity of Dalit women in economic, social, political, and cultural fields, according to Program Coordinator Pawan Dhakal. He stated that the academy will work to enhance the skills of 200 women from Ward Nos. 12 to 18 of Jeetpursimara Sub-Metropolitan City.

The academy, which will run for three years, plans to educate participants on a variety of topics, including the eradication of untouchability, gender-based violence, community organization building, promotion of non-formal education, preservation of traditional knowledge and skills, exploration of alternative sources of income, entrepreneurship, business plan development, cultivating saving habits, opening and operating bank accounts, and utilization of natural resources, public, unregistered, fallow, and barren lands.

Furthermore, it will encourage afforestation on riverine land, promote green enterprise development, and teach about the preservation of folk culture, musical instruments, traditional cuisine, customs, attire, rituals, festivals, and traditional skills.

The plan includes holding academy meetings every two months and providing training sessions as needed. Bachchu Sah Kanu, a member of NAPAF, expressed confidence that after training, the women will be capable of asserting their leadership claims in future community organizations and political parties.

The first meeting of the academy was held on December 14 in Dumbarwana, informed local facilitator Hemanti Majhi Musahar. Sixty Dalit women participated in the inaugural meeting.