Two Women, One Journey Towards Change

 

Rising from Adversity to Leadership: The Story of Sandhya Pariyar

Sandhya Pariyar*, a 29-year-old Dalit woman from Ward No. 10 of Birendranagar Municipality, Surkhet, is a shining example of strength, resilience, and leadership. Born into poverty as the only daughter in her family, Sandhya dropped out of her academic journey due to financial constraints. At just 17, she entered into an inter-caste marriage and faced rejection from her family, leading to years of struggle. Despite these challenges, she found support in her husband and continued to nurture her passion for arts and social work. 

Her political journey began following Nepal’s federal restructuring. Inspired by a deep desire to challenge injustice and harmful social norms, she ran for office in the 2079 BS local elections and was elected as the Dalit Woman Ward Member of Ward No. 10. Initially lacking political experience and formal training, Sandhya’s transformation began when she joined the Local Government Support Program, an initiative implemented through Center for Dalit Women Nepal (CDWN) and supported by SNGP. 

Through personal and group mentorship, she gained essential knowledge on governance, inclusive leadership, budget formulation, and public speaking. She said, “I didn’t know how to give speeches before. This program taught me how to speak confidently and lead meetings.” Empowered with new skills, Sandhya successfully lobbied for income-generating skill development training for Dalit women in her ward, earning community respect and recognition. 

Now serving as the Deputy Secretary of her party’s Ward Committee, Sandhya is actively involved in civic awareness, addressing public grievances, and advocating for inclusive policies. She has resumed her education and is studying Law in Grade 12, with dreams of contesting for Ward Chairperson in the next election. 

Sandhya’s journey—from social rejection and economic hardship to becoming a confident public representative—is a testament to the power of opportunity, mentorship, and inner strength. She credits her success to the Subnational Governance Program and CDWN. She firmly believes: “With determination, consistency, and self-confidence, success is possible.” 

Sandhya Pariyar’s story continues to inspire many, proving that empowered women can indeed transform their communities and lead change. 

Sunita’s Journey to Self-Advocacy: A Story of Strength and Empowerment

Sunita* is a young woman who has shown remarkable strength and determination. Despite facing discrimination due to her intellectual disability, she has empowered herself to become a voice for others. 

Sunita’s journey toward empowerment began when her parents reached out to the National Federation of the Disabled Nepal Karnali Province. NFDN is the national cross-disability umbrella Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in Nepal.  It plays a key role in leading and raising the collective voices of persons with disabilities and has been actively working to promote and protect the rights of people with disabilities across the country. 

NFDN met Sunita while she was struggling to seek justice after surviving rape. NFDN continuously offered guidance and counseling support to Sunita and her family to help her rehabilitate and move forward. In this process, NFDN invited Sunita to participate in capacity-building training organized by NFDN for its member organizations. Recognizing her willingness to learn about the issues of disabilities, she was included in the Birendranagar’s Advocacy Forum team. Through this, she met with other colleagues from the disability community, which encouraged and motivated her to continue working in this field. 

 ith training and guidance from NFDN on leadership, advocacy, networking, disability rights, and UNCRPD, Sunita gained confidence and began expressing herself. Her active participation in NFDN programs showcased that true empowerment comes from the right support and opportunities. 

Today, Sunita is an active member of the advocacy forum in Birendranagar Municipality, formed under the Disability Inclusion in Local Governance, an initiative under SNGP. Her identity is linked not to her past, but rather to her work through disability advocacy. She works to raise awareness about the rights of persons with disabilities. “Advocacy gives me purpose,” she says with confidence. Today, she also regularly visits other municipalities to advocate with local governments for the rights of persons with disabilities. Not only that, but she also helps people in her community understand their rights as guaranteed by the government. She asks them whether they have obtained disability ID cards; if not, she guides them on how to obtain them. Additionally, she shares other important information, such as where to access necessary documents related to disabilities, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the Act Related to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (ARPD).  

Her increasing involvement with the National Federation of the Disabled Nepal (NFDN) opened new doors for her. She connected with different organizations and forums where she advocates for disability rights. As a youth leader and trainer, she educates others about sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), providing knowledge that can change lives. The income she earns as a peer educator helps her support her family and strengthens her belief in herself. 

Sunita’s efforts go beyond her personal achievements. Through her work, she has inspired others in her community. By engaging with local authorities and civil society groups, she has helped increase awareness and promote inclusion. While organizing programs and campaigns by the OPDs, CSOs, and NGOs/INGOs, they have started ensuring the representation of all types of disabilities. In these platforms, when Sunita participates, she raises issues related to intellectual disabilities, such as ensuring access to education, employment opportunities, and other key concerns. This has also helped to raise awareness among stakeholders, who have shown their solidarity and support for these important agendas. Her advocacy has helped bring change in how the government and local organizations view the rights and abilities of persons with disabilities.  

Sunita stands as a role model and a leader. Her journey shows that with support from institutions like NFDN, and determination; real change is possible. She is proof that every voice matters—and that every story of resilience can inspire and empower others.  

*The names and details of individuals have been changed to respect their privacy.