09/06/2025
N E P A L E S E W O M E N, like many others in various parts of the world, still live in a deeply rooted patriarchal society. Girls often have very limited choices in deciding how to live their lives. Many are married young, expected to have children early and take care of family duties. Often with much less chance for education, their own careers, fulfilling their dreams or even the possibility to travel.
Property, including inheritance, mostly stays with men, even though women have recently gained more equal rights to inherit. But cultural resistance is still strong and many women don’t really get to claim their rights.
If a woman does have a job, it’s often in kitchens, housework, hotels or even hard labor like construction. Rarely in leadership or skilled professions.
But I’ve also been told, and I’ve seen it myself, that things are slowly changing and women are opening their own businesses. I saw trekking and guiding companies, small cafés and beautiful craft shops run by women. In some places, buying their products supports girls’ education, skills training and inspires a new generations.
If you ever happen to travel to Nepal and believe that everyone deserves equal opportunities in life, here are some ways to support.
WOMEN TREKKING & ADVENTURE COMPANIES:
~ Women Empowerment Trek by Trekking Experts
HANDICRAFTS & ARTISAN ENTERPRISES:
~ Lily’s Leaves
COMMUNITY HOMESTAYS & ECO TOURISM:
~ Barauli Community Homestay (Chitwan)
WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT & LEADERSHIP ORGANIZATIONS:
~ TEWAN – Tourism Entrepreneurs Women Association of Nepal