There was a time when Butwal’s gold and silver jewellery market was filled with Indian artisans, with only a few Nepali workers involved.

However, as local women have started learning the craft, the number of Indian artisans in the field has declined significantly.

One such artisan is Sabita BK from Buddhanagar in Butwal-6. She skilfully balances her household responsibilities in the mornings and evenings while dedicating her day to melting gold and silver to make intricate designs.

It has been eight years since BK learned the art of jewellery. Despite her experience, she remains relatively unknown in the broader market. However, she has already designed and crafted pieces such as ‘Panch Jali’ and ‘Koshe Ring’, and bullion traders are beginning to recognise her craftsmanship.

Her journey began when she participated in a training programme organised by the Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association. Encouraged by her husband, she pursued jewellery-making despite the challenges of raising three children and managing household responsibilities.

BK’s husband is a migrant worker, leaving her to manage the home and jewellery-making profession. Beyond creating jewellery, she has now become a trainer, teaching other women the craft.

"In a field traditionally dominated by men, I have proven that women can excel too. I have become an artisan and am now sharing my knowledge with others."

Despite her busy schedule, BK frequently receives invitations to conduct training sessions in different areas. The work provides her with a stable income and deep satisfaction. She earns up to Rs90,000 monthly, with wages determined by design complexity, weight (tola), and the number of pieces she produces.

Thanks to BK’s training, 17 Butwal women have become jewelry artisans.

Since February, Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City and the Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association have been working together to train women, significantly increasing their participation in the industry.

According to Krishna Bahadur Sunar, president of the association, training women in jewellery-making provides employment opportunities and ensures that skilled artisans are available locally.

Sunar, who also serves on the municipal executive committee, initially proposed offering jewellery-making training for women.

Several women have successfully established themselves as artisans in Butwal.

Kamala Bishwokarma from Traffic Chowk, Butwal, now runs a jewellery business. She takes orders from gold shops and delivers the finished pieces, earning a steady income.

Durga Lohani, who has set up a jewellery-making machine at home, has employed a friend to assist her in producing jewellery. Since her brother owns a jewellery shop, she can take orders and work from home.

Sabitra Gajmer and her friend Laxmi Kalikoti specialise in making gold chains, as their demand is exceptionally high. Gajmer emphasised that jewellery-making has become a highly profitable source of income.

"Previously, Indian artisans charged high fees, and we didn't realise we could learn these skills ourselves. If training had been provided earlier, more women would have been jewellery crafters," said Gajmer.

Meanwhile, Laxmi Kalikoti has bigger ambitions—she plans to open her own gold and silver workshop. "My husband deals in gold jewellery, but I want to start my own business and employ workers to make jewellery," she said.

With Rs1 million in financial assistance from the Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City and an additional Rs500,000 from the Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, many women have received full training in the craft of jewellery. They are now working as professionals.

Sunar says women artisans have demonstrated exceptional focus and precision, especially in perfecting jewellery designs and finishes. This has diminished traders’ reliance on Indian artisans, as local women now can produce impressive jewellery on their own.

With more women into the jewellery industry, Butwal sees a significant transformation—where skilled Nepali women reclaim jobs that Indian craftsmen once held.