Aama Samuha (mothers’ groups) formed in various local units of Baitadi district have been making efforts to make women more independent and create social awareness on gender equality.

Women organise group meetings to discuss their problems and support one another. They have also set up a revolving fund where they contribute a certain amount of money every month. Group members in need of financial support can borrow the required sum from the fund. Each group has 20 to 25 women.

Besides helping one another, these groups have also been actively championing causes to create a safe and equitable society for women.

Devaki Nath of Khareli Tol in Dilashaini Rural Municipality said the works done by the mother’s group in her village have helped many women.

“We discuss various issues in the community that need improvement and plan actions to address them,” Devaki said.

Janaki Nath of Chausera said that she was able to admit her children to school with the money borrowed from the group’s fund.

“It is because of the mothers’ group that we no longer have to rely on our husbands for money all the time,” she said.

Some of these mothers’ groups have even succeeded in organising effective campaigns against child marriage, Chhaupadi (menstrual exile), domestic violence and alcoholism in their communities.

“We have been emboldened by the mothers’ groups to take necessary actions to better the society,” Manju BK of Dasarathchand Municipality-2 said.