Women drivers: How to build the economic future of rural Nepal

In rural Nepal, where traditional gender roles prevail, we are helping women challenge entrenched stereotypes by enabling them to take on their household’s financial responsibilities, thanks to funding by Jersey Overseas Aid.

The project aims to enhance women farmers’ knowledge of relevant digital financial products.

Volunteers are trained as Women Digital Champions to teach their communities financial education and digital literacy classes. These classes also help female farmers build confidence and reduce dependence.

Subina Shrestha, the Programme Associate in Nepal, said: “We live in a world where feminism is discussed with a hint of hesitation. The notion of patriarchy is still present, especially in the rural areas of Nepal.

“Fostering Women Digital Champions not only empowers women economically but also fosters inclusive communities, paving the way for a thriving shared future.”

Changing perceptions

Subina spoke with men and women involved with the project in Nepal’s remote rural Dang, Rolpa, and Rukum-East districts where she witnessed a seismic shift in attitudes.

One of the Woman Digital Champions she spoke to was Sunita KC, who leads financial education and digital literacy classes and transformed the local men’s perception of her.

“Initially, men in the village would ask what a woman like me can teach them about digital and financial literacy,” she said. “Now they listen when I conduct household discussions.”

Raman Kumar Lamichhane from Shantinagar, Kumalgadi, spoke about Bishni, his daughter-in-law. She has been taking digital financial literacy classes and now pays the utility bills for their home, as well as their neighbours, by using digital wallets.

With visible pride, he said: “Since my daughter-in-law is more aware of financial information, she handles big expenses, and I handle smaller expenses.”

A key part of the Empowering Women Farmers with Digital Finance project is holding household dialogue sessions, where family members discuss responsibilities, income, and decision-making to ensure better understanding and cooperation and promote balanced and healthy family dynamics. This exercise also seeks to improve gender dynamics by encouraging workload sharing.

“I am proud of my wife”

Punkala Gharti Magar and her husband Nim Kanta, a farmer and entrepreneur from Runtigadhi, Holeri, outlined how the classes motivated the women in his community to start income-generating businesses to be self-sufficient, instead of relying solely on money sent by their husbands working abroad.

The couple’s relationship has also flourished because the training encourages mutual respect. Nim said: “I feel proud looking at the advocacy capability of my wife, and I enjoy learning from her.”

Subina said: “Reflecting on these stories, I was deeply moved by the positive ripple effects of our project. Each man I interacted with during our journey shared a unique story of transformative change within their community and their belief that investing in women’s education, lays the foundation for long-term sustainable development.

“The journey towards gender equality is a challenging one, but with continued support from families and society for inclusive initiatives, we can build a brighter future for all Nepalese women – one empowered woman at a time.”