The Story Kitchen (TSK) conducted a series of Self-Reflection and Leadership Workshops with 107 previously elected Dalit women representatives across all seven provinces of Nepal from August to October 2024. These province-level workshops were designed to create a safe space for women leaders to reflect on their leadership journeys, share experiences and learn from one another. Additionally, the workshops sought to document their strategies, challenges and enablers that helped them navigate and assert their leadership roles.
Through storytelling and reflective exercises, participants explored their power within, recognizing their agency and influence in shaping their communities. The workshops facilitated deep discussions on the barriers they faced, their strategies to counter injustice and their evolving perspectives on leadership and politics. These women also shared valuable insights and recommendations for various stakeholders to create a more inclusive and supportive working environment.
This initiative builds upon TSK’s continued engagement with Dalit women representatives elected in 2017, who served for five years at the local government level. Despite reaching positions of power, these women have endured systemic gender- and caste-based discrimination throughout their lives. Through this engagement, TSK aimed to assess how they exercised their leadership, the challenges they overcame, and the impact of their tenure in governance.
By amplifying their voices and experiences, TSK reaffirms its commitment to strengthening women’s leadership and ensuring that the stories of Dalit women leaders inspire future generations.