By Bibhuti Shah
Lalitpur, Mar. 7: Women Handicraft Exhibition, a three-day event, kicked off on Saturday, Mar. 6. The exhibition was organised on the occasion of 111th International Women’s Day by Lalitpur Metropolitan City (LMC) and Federation of Handicraft Associations of Neapl (FHAN).
The show-case took place on the premises of Lalitpur Metropolitan City and had an active participation of women’s groups inclusive of minorities.
“Handicraft has always been a major contributor in Nepalese economy. However, the gap between import and export has been widening every day. Therefore, the event took shape to display women’s handicrafts as well as create a common space for trade,” said the organisers.
The exhibition has around 50 stalls displaying a variety of items ranging from silver-craft, paper-craft, wood-craft, wool, cotton, felt, pashmina, ceramic, glasses, beads, candies, titauras to traditional snacks.
The event was buzzing with all kinds of participants - from organisations both big and small. Sunita Thapa, Chairperson of Budhanilkantha Chemical Industry, took the opportunity to sell their cleaning products including phenyl, liquid soap and harpic.
The budding organisation established by people with disabilities gets its raw material from the market and mixes it on their own to produce the final result.
Nani Shobha Maharjan, co-treasurer of Puchwa Ma Pucha (Pulchowk Mother’s Group), was serving mouth-watering plates of Samay Baji, a traditional Newari dish while waiting for her friends to come with more cuisines. Maharjan, a part of the 17-year-old community shared that events like this had promoted them to learn about their own culture and make money with it.
Most of the women belonging to newly made organisations had a lot to share about their experience. Because the global pandemic had taken jobs of many, they collected to learn something on their own and begin a new life.
Resident of Dhola Hiti, Sunarkothi, Parbati Thapa Magar had been earning Rs. 15,000 a month before she lost her job to COVID. Having to fight this plight, she asked a tutor to teach her to make shawls. Now, Thapa earns up to Rs. 45,000 monthly and has other two women working under her.
Likewise, a daughter and mother duo shared their entrepreneurial experience. Shriya and her mother Amrita Shrestha loved baking. They decided to economize it with the help of their group Yala Sampada. In the event, they had a tasty pumpkin bread, carrot bread and a Jewish dish, Babka, to offer at a very reasonable price.
The event also extended space to a non-profit organisation Chhori that worked to provide shelter and skills to girls who had been trafficked, were facing negligence, abuse, violence and exploitation. Chhori had a wonderful set of items to display, ranging from paper bead bracelets to laptop bags, all the products were made by women and girls taking shelter in the organisation.
Radhika Dhakal, a retired official, thanked the organisers and her group for making it possible for them to make use of their skills.
The exhibition started at 10 in the morning at the presence of LMC Mayor Chiri Babu Maharjan. The exhibition will be open to all till Mar. 8.