Women, mothers, leaders

This is a newspaper clipping from Kathmnadu Post on Feb. 26, 2008. The woman in this picture was a participant in one of the workshops my organization (Women in Good Governance-WIGG) held to empower local women political leaders. In this picture she is registering as a candidate in her local district, Morang (Eastern Nepal). I read this article today on the way to work and got chills. I recognized her picture immediately, as I distinctly remember interviewing her and interacting with her during the 3-day workshop in Biratnagar. I was surprised because I was not aware that she was pregnant when I saw her in December. With her newborn, she committed herself to political participation and in the process, became an inspiration for all women leaders. I am so proud to be a part of an organization that helps these women have a platform in politics. Women are still not accepted as political equals and their participation in central level government is extremely marginal. We try to build the capacity of rural women leaders so they can be in positions to influence state heads and lawmakers come election time.

This woman is a great example of the work we are doing. I can not express how incredible it is to see her on the pages of the largest national newspaper. We might not have inspired her to run for elections, but we did increase her knowledge about women's rights and the constitution building processes that Nepal will be facing in the near future. No matter what political party she represents, if she is nominated, she will be a voice for women's issues inside the government- and right now that is the most important contribution women can make in each other's name.