After
a few years of posting our updates on Facebook and other media, we are bringing
our blog back to life as well to share some of the lessons we are learning
through our work in Nepal.
We'd
like to introduce you to a project we have been working on for the last year in
Saptari.
In a nutshell
To develop a sustainable business with 10
women from Saptari business using their Mithila art skills.
The need
Saptari is commonly referred to as one of
the most underdeveloped districts of Nepal. It lies in the Terai area of Nepal
on the border with India.
A few statistics from the 2011 Census set
the scene for Saptari’s challenges:
·
59% of
households rely on cow dung for cooking fuel
·
34% of households
rely on wood for cooking fuel
·
94% of
households rely on tube wells or handpumps for water
·
55% of
households rely on kerosene for lighting (v 42% who have electricity)
·
80% of
households do not have a toilet
·
42% of the
population of Saptari cannot read or write (28% of women and 15% of men)
·
Of the
literate population of Saptari, 40% just finished up to class 5. Only 21% have
completed their SLC or higher education (only 16% for females)
Saptari was also the scene of many riots in
relation to the 2015 constitutional debates and bore the brunt of many issues
at the centre of the blockade at the end of that year.
The majority of the population is dependent
on agriculture for income, including those who sell the products in the market
and the itinerant seasonal labour force. Ever year, the region suffers from
floods which combined with the infertile soil causes many challenges for the
people to sustain their households.
There are many discrimination issues in
Saptari amongst the lower caste people, particularly against women of these
castes. Daughters cost their families a higher dowry (despite this being
illegal) and so families do not invest in an education for their daughters and
often arrange marriages for them early to dispel their responsibility to them.
The risk of violence against women is significant with over 25 women reported
killed as a result of gender-based violence last year.
Madhesi communities use art as a form of
worship and communication. They paint their houses in bright colours for
weddings and other ceremonies. This art, known as Mithila art is becoming known
around the world as creative and it is increasingly being commercialised in
India amongst Madhesi communities there as well as in Janakpur in Nepal. As
yet, little commercialisation has occurred in Saptari of Mithila art, providing
a great opportunity for entrepreneurial, artistic women in Saptari.
A group of 10 low caste Madhesi women were selected who have a proven interest in art. Prior training in art is not a
pre-requisite and there is no age preference.
How does it work?
The women have been having some art
lessons, history lessons and Mithila art lessons as well as some classes to
learn skills to help them commercialise their new art skills for the last 5
months. This training will finish in March.
What challenges have we faced?
It has been challenging with the local culture as women are not
permitted to work and all household responsibilities fall on them. When this
requires handwashing clothes, planting and harvesting crops, cooking all meals
for extended families, all by hand, this is time consuming work and families
often complain if the women are not available for this work whenever they
demand it. We have been working with the local community to try to encourage
them to allow women to work when they want to.
Learning to paint has also been a challenge as some of the women
had never held a paintbrush before the project but were keen to learn. They
have practised a lot to develop their skills.
