22 February 2019

We're back! Learn about our Saptari Women Entrepreneurs Art Project


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.

The plan

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.

The women will start a business, owned and run by the women with all profits going to the women who work in the business. The women will be asked to contribute 10% of the profits into a fund to support other women to receive literacy training in Saptari. This fund will be managed by the women with support from us as required.


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.