Himalayan News Service

Dhading, March 19:

Timidity is a thing of the past for the rural women of Dhading. A series of human rights awareness campaigns, launched by the RILEC Nepal, has been able to instill a sense of confidence among them. As a result, they no more fear to speak against domestic violence and social discrimination.

Not that alone, they are executing different rights training programmes in the district.

Radha Adhikary of Baireni-9 is one shining example. The once-shy housewife has transformed herself into a leading human rights activist and is campaigning for rights protection in different districts. "This change in me is due to the awareness campaign launched by the RILEC Nepal," she asserts.

Through a youth volunteer human rights campaign, the organisation has imparted rights training to as many as 200 women in a period of five years.

The organisation was established with the objective of addressing social discrimination, violence and carnage in the society. Hari Har Uprety, vice-chairman of the organisation, said the campaign has emboldened people to speak against rights violations and bloodshed.

The organisation has trained two dozen women as social human rights mobilisers in

the district by making them aware of their function in the society and their responsibilities, said Sangita Ghimire, a member of the organisation.

"Women must come out of their shells to make their identity and this is the first step towards a productive society," said Urmila Regmi of Goganpani VDC.

"The RILEC Nepal has set up 58 organisations so far," said joint secretary of the organisation, Sita Ram Neupane.

"Earlier, women used to hide themselves when we talked about their rights. They are addressing their problems on their own now."