BAJURA: Women have engaged themselves in risky development works in Badimalika Municipality of Bajura district due to the absence of men. Women of the municipality have been involved in various kinds of development works including the laying out of drinking water line, said a member of the District Coordination Committee, Dhani Thapa. Locals shared that only women were seen working to expand the drinking water line for one month since the project was initiated. Since most men in the municipality have gone to India to earn a livelihood, and others do not show up for work, women have been undertaking both household and development works in their villages. Likewise, women are also involved in risky road construction work in Badimalika Municipality-4, said ward member Tulchhi Nath, adding that responsibilities of all development works have been taken up by them. In Sappatta village of Swamikartik Rural Municipality-1, only women, children, and elders can be seen. “If somebody dies in the village, women have to perform the cremation rites as well,” said Man Bahadur Rokaya, a local teacher. Continued drought across several local levels in Bajura has turned fertile land barren, due to which most men have been compelled to leave their homes and go across the border to earn a living. Moreover, villages in Bajhang, Humla, Jumla, Mugu and Kalikot district are also reeling under the consequences of drought.