The Badi community, one of Nepal's most marginalised groups, has historically faced extreme social exclusion and economic deprivation. In Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City, Banke, Badi women are particularly vulnerable, often lacking access to education, livelihood opportunities, and a voice in local decision-making. Their specific struggles were largely invisible in local policies and plans.
The project partner, Women Voice for Dignity, made it their mission to change this. They organised a dedicated policy dialogue focused solely on the situation of Badi women. Through these dialogues, Badi women were brought together with local government stakeholders to discuss their lived realities. Women spoke openly about the stigma they face, the struggle to send their children to school, and the absence of any government programs designed to support their path to self-reliance.
One young Badi woman shared a poignant story: "I wanted to learn tailoring so I could support my family, but the training centre was far away, and the other women there made us feel unwelcome. There is no program that understands our specific situation, no one to tell us we belong."
This dialogue was followed by another on youth and drug abuse, a problem that disproportionately affects marginalised communities, and a final, broader interaction on the policy gaps affecting Badi youth and women. These conversations revealed a clear pattern: the community's needs were not being asked for, and their unique challenges were not being documented.
Empowered by the process, the women helped synthesise their concerns into a detailed position paper. The paper, submitted to the Administrative Officer of Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City, went beyond generalities. It advocated targeted, Badi-specific programs in education and employment, as well as the meaningful involvement of Badi women in the planning and budgeting of these initiatives. The story of the Badi women in Banke is a powerful testament to the fact that when the most marginalised are given a platform, they can articulate their own solutions and demand a place in the policies that shape their lives.
