Rural women turning self-reliant

Resunga : Normally men are shown up in outdoor economic activities and women in kitchen chores in rural areas. Nevertheless, a distinct scene was observed in Maghi fair that took place along the banks of Kaligandaki River – the meeting point of Gulmi, Palpa and Syangja.

Women from the rural areas were seen trading their hand-made products in the popular Maghi fair. They have come up here to sell their indigenous products with a resolution to become self-reliant. A group of 35 people has turned up to Ridi from Rukum-East to trade their products. Sunpura Budha shared that 31 out of them are women.

They have descended to Ridi with the hand-woven lamb wool products such as blankets, carpets and rug for trading.
The 56-year-old Sunpura said she has been engaging in weaving special products and selling them in indigenous market fair for the past 30 years.

“My husband rears lambs at home while I turn around distant places for marketing of the lamb-wool products. This way we are managing our livelihoods”. Sunpura, a local of Putha Uttarganga rural municipality, added.

Sunpura further shared that they were gradually becoming self-reliant on their own struggle. “Women are not only bound to engage in household chores”, she said, adding, “I have been managing my household expenses for over the years. There is no trouble if things are done with diligence and consistency”. Women with the age ranging from 16 to 66 have come from Rukum-East for selling out the hand-woven lamb-wool products.

Khima Chhantyal hailing from Rukum said she was making daily transaction up to Rs 5,000 in the fair. Sarmila Budha of the same group said they had come to the fair to sell their products which she claimed was part of their commitment to become self-reliant. “We reach different districts with our indigenous hand-made products”, she said, adding, “With the small business initiative we are now able to preserve and use the skills”.

She noted that she was engaged in the business since the lamb wool products were gradually disappearing in the market.