Ratiya, the vicepresident of the Khushi self-help group (SHG), demonstrates that women, united, can go further

The Khushi self-help group (SHG) is one of many SHGs run by TLM Nepal, but it is unique in that it is run primarily by women! Throughout all its programs, it maintains a focus on supporting women and ensuring that their voices are heard.

In recent years, the Khushi leadership team has been invited to several annual ward meetings to discuss important issues for the whole region, and Vice President Rativa Devi Thakur notes that, as women, being included in these meetings is empowering. “Before joining Khushi SHG,” she said, “I never imagined leading meetings or talking to officials. Now, I not only manage group activities but also motivate other women to raise their voices for equal opportunities.”

At a local level, the group works with issues such as advocating for women’s rights, helping children to stay in school, providing financial support to struggling families, and organizing agricultural and business vocational programs. Thanks to these initiatives, group members have gained access to opportunities they never had before, and women who were previously afraid to leave their homes are now often seen attending training programs and policy meetings to advocate for their needs.

One way that the group helps its members is by reserving a fund for those who encounter medical emergencies, or who are starting new business endeavours. Adhikari himself struggled to support his family when he was diagnosed with leprosy several decades ago, but he received a loan from the Khushi group which not only helped him to afford his medication and household expenses but also enabled him to pay for his children’s education. The group has also created an Education Committee which saves money to provide students with notebooks and pens, and this initiative is growing rapidly.

"Before joining Khushi SHG, I never imagined leading meetings or talking to officials. Now, I not only manage group activities but also motivate other women to raise their voices for equal opportunities.”

The group’s president, Ramchandra Adhikari, testifies that “everyone hears our story and hopes for it. We are receiving good praise from the municipality and the ward.” Indeed, the group is recognized as a key stakeholder in improving leprosy diagnosis and awareness, and the local government has collaborated with them to organize leprosy screenings and awareness camps. The group has also received trainings to help them continue developing their vocational programs, and the ward president, Ramjit Chaudhary, has helped them to promote their women’s empowerment initiatives.

Bhupendra Chaudhary, the coordinator of municipal health programs, plans to engage the group even more in the coming year by inviting them to participate in more meetings and connecting them with persons affected by leprosy throughout the municipality. Already, the municipality has begun to allocate funding to the group which allows them to enhance their contact tracing programs.

The Khushi group is truly an inspiration. Their proactivity in asserting their rights has not only helped the local government to understand the real needs of the community, but it has also been a great source of motivation to other SHGs and organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) and leprosy. Indeed, President Chaudhary expresses that “As a leprosy-affected person myself, I understand the struggles our community faces. Supporting SHGs like Khushi means investing in dignity, self-reliance, and social inclusion.” The Khushi group is a powerful model of how SHGs can play a crucial role in ensuring that the voices of individuals affected by leprosy and persons with disabilities are heard where they matter the most.