Summary:

Twenty-nine years old Kokila of Dullu Municipality-13, Dailekh district has no other options but to continue her daily chores in village. People from Dalit community were excluded in every programs and functions. Humiliated Nepali was exploring supportive platform through which she can raise her voice. During that time, she was named member of HRAA formed in Malika. Then, she started to raise cases of CBSD in her community. This helped her to develop leadership skill. Nearly after two decades, local level election was announced. The election law has a provision to field a Dalit woman candidate mandatorily in each ward. Hence, she made up her mind to contest the election thinking that this would be best platform for her to raise cases of cast-based discriminations. The main opposition CPN-UML fielded her as party candidate. Later, she elected as Dalit women member in Dullu municipality- 13.

Challenges:

Being a woman and that too from Dalit community was challenging to raise voice against discriminations. Women participation in different forums is still considered as social taboo among rural population. Women are generally confined to household chores and prohibited to participate to lead community. But Kokila got the opportunity to prove her leadership quality although she was confined to her household activities in the past.

Initiative:

Koikila was named as member of HRAA after she expressed her keen interests to be the part of social campaign. HRAA network helped her to develop leadership skills.. Before, she had never got such opportunity to speak against social wrong doings happening in local level. But, enhanced her self-confidence through capacity building being member of HRAA. Local election was announced in a gap of 20 years and election law has a mandatory provision to field a woman candidate in each ward of municipality and rural municipality. She thought this could be her best opportunity to contest election and work for equitable society.

Results:

Today, she is well acknowledged by community people. She is confident of bringing changes in her community. Her contribution in sensitizing community people is praiseworthy till the date. Nepali, who is known as human rights defender in her area, is determined about brining changes in her society.