Doti women starts generating income

Daily routine of Ghamsara BK has changed in this remote Pathari Chahara of Chhatiwan VDC-3, in Doti nowadays.
Unlike some years ago, nowadays she doesnot need to go to the river to fetch water early in the morning, instead she starts collecting vegetables from her kitchen garden to sell at the collection centre.
"I earn around Rs 1,500 per month," said the lady from the dalit community, who has now been able to spend the money on her child's education and daily needs that has helped boost her confidence in the society.
"The life was hard earlier but the Community based Water Supply and Sanitation Sector project made it more easy for our village that has 20 households," she said, adding that water supply to their houses has not only reduced their time for fetching water but also gave them the opportunity to involve in alternative activities like income generating by kitchen garden using the regular water supply.
However, there are enough challenges too. "We need sufficient budget to be allocated for income generation activities," said Krishna Rana, project manager from the deaprtment of Water Supply and Sewerage under the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works that is the executing agency for this project.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded project -- that was approvd in December 2003 -- came into effect from April 2004 and has completed one year ago. Pathari Chahara sub project is one of the 690 sub-projects that has been running in 21 District Development Committees (DDCs) as DDCs are the implementing agency.
"Though we have provided equal access to trainings and employment opportunities sanitation masons and village maintenance workers, women are found less interested to work as sanitation mason and village maintainance workers compared to their male counterparts," Mishri Prasad Shrestha, Gender and Social Development Specialist, Projct Management Office, said, adding that some additional incentives may help them engage in these activites.
The $35.71-million project -- developed as a sector loan under the framework of poverty reduction focus of the 10th fifth year plan -- has aimed at rural community mobilisation and capacity building for sustainability by strenghtening decentralisation policy.
Sanitation and education are key component in reducing poverty as the recently launched Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) also includes education, health and living standard as the three main indicators.
"To ensure education, health, sanitation and access to water, community mobilisation is key, thus under community mobilisation 15,769 users attended non-formal education programme with 97 per cent female participation that has increased women empowerment in decision making process and leadership quality," according to Suman Subba, Social Development and Gender Officer at the Nepal Resident Mission of ADB.