Rural Women Working Towards Sustainability and Empowerment

In Nepal’s Siraha district, Nirmala Chaudhary, 43, is a key figure in her community. She represents the strength and leadership of rural women who support their communities and work towards a sustainable future.

Nirmala grew up in a farming family in Dhankuta and moved to Siraha after marriage. There, her connection to agriculture and the local community grew stronger over time.

Rural women in Nepal, like Nirmala, make up 43 percent of the population and are crucial to agriculture, which supports nearly 80 percent of the country’s people. Despite their important role, their contributions often go unrecognized. Nirmala is changing this through her work in farming and as the leader of the Mithila Farmers’ Group.

As the chairperson, she advocates for the rights and needs of women farmers. The group’s collaboration with the Joint Programme on Rural Women’s Economic Empowerment (JP RWEE), supported by UN Women, FAO, IFAD, and WFP, has been crucial. The initiative has provided the group with modern agricultural techniques and resources, from high-quality seeds to sustainable farming practices. It has also strengthened their leadership skills, enabling them to participate more actively in local structures and socio-economic forums. They engage in community dialogues to promote positive changes in gender norms and attitudes, supporting women in raising their voices through evidence-based advocacy.

Under Nirmala’s leadership, the group has adopted environmentally friendly practices. By using techniques like Jholmol—an organic pesticide made from botanical extracts—they have moved away from harmful chemicals, contributing to biodiversity conservation and improved crop health. The group cultivates a variety of vegetables, ensuring year-round harvests and healthier food production.

Beyond farming, Nirmala has helped the group achieve financial independence. They have set up savings and credit mechanisms, allowing members to secure loans for business ventures or personal needs. Nirmala emphasizes financial transparency, ensuring that each loan is a family decision, fostering trust and accountability within the group.

A significant milestone for Nirmala and her team came earlier in 2024, when the JP RWEE programme facilitated a contract between the Mithila Farmers’ Group and the local school. This agreement supports Nepal’s government mid-day meal programme, ensuring that local produce from women farmers reaches children in public schools. 

This initiative nourishes the next generation while boosting women’s incomes. The Home-Grown School Feeding approach has connected over 1,000 women farmers across Siraha and Saptari districts, with Nirmala playing a key role.

Nirmala’s journey from teaching literacy to her neighbors to leading a community in sustainable farming highlights the power of rural women to drive change.

“Everyone told me I should be the chairperson,” Nirmala recalls. “They said I can speak up when needed and go where necessary to make sure our group’s voice is heard.”

Nirmala represents the essence of the International Day of Rural Women’s 2024 theme: “Rural Women Sustaining Nature for Our Collective Future.” Her leadership is about more than growing crops—it’s about nurturing a community, empowering women, and protecting the land that sustains us all. Through women like her, the seeds of gender equality and empowerment taking root in Nepal’s rural landscapes, moving towards a more resilient and sustainable future for everyone.