Suda Devi Majhi, a native woman of Kujeda in Panchadeval Binayak Municipality-4, has been working actively in social work for the last two years.

Not only Suda, many women of the village have been involved in development programmes and other social programmes. “We have started to raise our voices collectively,” said Suda, chairperson of a local Mother’s group, adding that they disagree with men’s unilateral decision during meetings. “We will not sign any documents without proper understanding.”

Women members are also told to take stance in their own decisions during meetings. “We are more aware. Now, there’s meaningful participation of women in budget allocation and development programmes,” said Dhanidevi Majhi, a local of Kujeda, one of the most remote villages of the district.

Kokila Majhi, a local woman, said that a number of women have been coming to the ward office to talk about the development of their village.

“We have started to take concern in development programmes. People have a thought that women are only confined in the kitchen. We are going to end such thoughts,” said Kokila.

In the running fiscal year, women have been taken as chairpersons of a majority of consumer’s committees in the local units. There are 10 local units in Achham. Women have also started awareness campaigns against child marriage, Chhaupadi, and other women violence related incidents these days.