In the far-western province of Karnali, Nepal, young women entrepreneurs are illustrating what is possible when determination meets opportunity. Historically marginalized, these women are now thriving, not only from job skills training but also from courses that focus on gender equality, women’s rights, and social support, fostering a strong sense of belonging alongside economic independence.

Take Sita, for example—a 24-year-old determined to serve as a model for other aspiring female entrepreneurs in Nepal. Living in the Surkhet district of Karnali province, Sita is among a growing number of female business owners who are narrowing the gender pay gap through a transformative training program that offers both professional skills and social support.

Born in the neighboring Dailekh district, Sita faced hardship early on. After losing her mother when she was just 18 months old and her father at the age of 8, the family’s small poultry business could no longer continue. Sita and her younger brother had to abandon their schooling, leaving her with only a School Leaving Certificate (Grade 10). Despite these challenges, Sita was determined to seek a better future. She moved to Surkhet to live with her aunt, eager to start a new chapter.

Kopila Valley Women’s Center beautician training. Photo courtesy of BlinkNow Foundation.

Sita searched tirelessly for two months to find a job, but her efforts bore no fruit. However, she soon discovered a new path at the Kopila Valley Women’s Center, where she enrolled in a six-month beautician training course. These courses, aimed at empowering disadvantaged groups, offer more than just vocational skills—they provide life skills, confidence-building, and a sense of empowerment for local women. Due to her challenging life circumstances, including the loss of both parents and the interruption of her education, Sita easily qualified for the program.

Elusive Gender Equality

In Karnali Province, women continue to grapple with fundamental challenges linked to limited access to education and economic opportunities. Nearly half of the female population—49%—remains illiterate, and a mere 15.5% are employed, according to United Nations data. While laws have evolved to better integrate women into society, the reality in Karnali is that many women still struggle to access these newfound rights and opportunities. It is not uncommon for young women to be married off as teenagers before completing their education, with familial resources often directed toward educating male siblings if choices must be made.

Kopila Valley Women’s Center spinning. Photo courtesy of BlinkNow Foundation.

Many women in Karnali are unaware of their own innate skills and potential, but they can thrive with the right training programs that focus on female empowerment. Even without formal education, these women often possess valuable management skills from running households. Some have also developed keen business acumen through years of participating in the informal labor market. With literacy education, formal skills training, and a growing awareness of their human rights, women begin to flourish. They not only enter the formal labor market but also increase their incomes and, in some cases, establish their own businesses.

Sita reflects on her journey: “I was born in a patriarchal society, but learning about gender equality and human rights has made me realize that girls deserve equal opportunities. We must break the chain of inequality.”

Beginnings

The Kopila Valley programs were initially founded with the goal of helping children and their communities thrive. After establishing a children’s home and a school focused on girls and other marginalized children, the staff and community stakeholders recognized a further need — to foster financial independence for women. In response, the Kopila Valley Women’s Center was established in 2013. The center provides both job training and life skills to local women, all within a nurturing, supportive community environment.

Kopila Valley Women’s Center compressed earth brick-making. Photo courtesy of BlinkNow Foundation.

The center offers a range of programs, including skills-based training, entrepreneurship courses, counseling services, and workshops covering diverse topics such as women’s rights, gender equality, family planning, and mental health.

Vocational courses span both traditional and non-traditional fields. Women can pursue skills in areas like weaving, beautician work, and baking, while also exploring non-traditional careers such as electrical work and compressed earth brick making. As part of its commitment to environmental sustainability, the center also provides organic gardening and farming training. To ensure relevance and community impact, the Women’s Center staff survey the local population annually to determine which topics and skills are most in demand for the upcoming year’s training courses.

Group Support and Collaboration

Sita explains that she joined the Kopila Valley Women’s Center because she was “eager to be independent with some skills.” Previously, she relied on her brother, who was also struggling to provide for his own children. Upon enrolling at the Women’s Center, Sita was eager to take part in both the skills training and the confidence-building sessions, as well as to benefit from the group social support.

Kopila Valley Women’s Center participants in beautician training. Photo courtesy of BlinkNow Foundation.

“At the Women’s Center, I not only learned beautician skills but also became aware of my strengths and weaknesses,” Sita shares. “I had no one in Surkhet to share my pain with. Then I found a counselor and girls like me. This gave me the support I needed to ease my pain.”

The Women’s Center has discovered that one of its most impactful offerings lies in the group courses and the social connections formed among participants. Past graduates often return to mentor current trainees, fostering a strong sense of belonging and community within the program.

Traditionally, many women in the region have been confined to domestic care roles, leading to isolation, loneliness, and in some cases, abuse. Many women were unaware of their rights. However, after participating in empowerment training sessions, they gain an understanding of their rights and are more likely to report incidents of domestic violence and abuse. Remarkably, 61% of trainees who had been facing domestic violence are now living free from violence at home. This is especially significant in a region where 59.4% of women who have experienced violence have never sought help or spoken about it, according to United Nations data.

Kopila Valley Women’s Center beautician training. Photo courtesy of BlinkNow Foundation.

Once women participate in the training courses and form friendships with other participants, they develop a strong support network. This network boosts their confidence, connects them to job opportunities, and encourages them to take risk s— some even venture into starting their own businesses. The Women’s Center supports these ambitions through a business startup fund, which is managed by both staff and community members. This fund offers interest-free loans to women who present a business plan for a new venture. Impressively, 85% of women who received Kopila Valley’s startup funding have successfully increased their income.

These strides in employment and entrepreneurship are not only beneficial for the women and their families but also contribute positively to the local economy.

Moving Up

Sita proudly reports that shortly after graduating from the Women’s Center, she secured a job at a salon in Surkhet, where she earned up to 10,000 NPR per month — enough to cover her rent and daily living expenses. Remarkably, just one year later, she became the owner of the very same salon where she once worked. Today, Sita successfully manages the salon’s monthly business expenses, and her income has risen to 30,000 NPR per month — double the average monthly income for women aged 15 to 49 in Karnali, according to United Nations data.

Kopila Valley Womens Center beautician training. Photo courtesy of BlinkNow Foundation.

Sita shares, “I want to be a model for all other women like me who were unable to be independent in life, by becoming one of the best beauticians in the town.” She plans to continue enhancing her skills by enrolling in advanced training courses.

“The Women’s Center was the hope I was searching for.”

Sita and the Kopila Valley Women’s Center serve as a source of inspiration and set a powerful example for others to follow. We believe in the transformative power of new skills and the social support systems that enable women entrepreneurs to thrive. As women take control of their lives, equipped with the tools, skills, and knowledge to challenge social inequality, they are breaking barriers, building thriving businesses, and inspiring the next generation of girls to dream boldly. Rooted in community and healthy relationships, these women are not just creating economic change—they are reshaping the social fabric of their communities.