Project supported GALS program enabled village women to generate income

Sugiya Sha 36 years old, a mother of 4 from Bara district of Nepal is an example who shares story that women empowerment cannot be achieved without the change at household level. Sugiya’s life was limited in household chores. She was looking after her own children, raising her husband’s second wife’s children as well as taking care of her mother in-law. Over the last few years Sugiya did not have chance to get out from house. Rather, she was busy looking after family members at the same time taking care of her 2 fisheries ponds and helping her husband on live fish business. They have reared six different types of fish that gets ready for sale in every 3 months.

Sugiya now is also the chair of RER project generated─ Bodhaban Fish Producer Women Farmers Group which was formed in November 2018. Later on, she was selected by project for the program─ Gender Action Learning System(GALS) as Mentor in her own community. After participating the 7 days’ workshop program for GALS catalyst organized by the project she found herself that her level of confidence has been boosted up. Sugiya now is realizing women in the society can lead as that of male members. 

Since, the past couple of years, her family’s source of income was only from fishery business, sources of income was all managed by her husband. Ever since Sugiya learnt GALS methods she started paving the alternative way of income for herself. For example, she started planting variety of vegetables that brought an awareness that she does not need to purchase vegetables from market when it is grown at her own home. So she also found that saving money is equivalent to earning. Then she started selling fresh vegetables to earn extra money. Further, she comprehends that first she should be an example as a leader to encourage women belonging to her fish producer group as well as educate group members to generate income because she thinks that way women can gain power for themselves.

Sugiya an example member of poverty-stricken rural village woman who was completely reliant on her husband’s income after being engaged on Gender Action Learning System (GALS) program is now transformed. She is working to expand her income as she happily added that─ “I have opened my eyes. Been able to eliminate my ignorance. And I do feel importance of working for myself, family and the community.”