Creating Possibilities Nepal (CP Nepal) organized various activities for rural women in Dang, Nepal, just like in previous years. The women were given the opportunity to participate in sports and games such as football, relay races, and musical chairs as they broke free from traditional roles. The Maghi Program, which ran from January 25th to 27th, 2024, aimed to entertain, motivate, and empower marginalized women who rarely find time for recreation between their daily chores and childcare obligations. The program was financially supported by beloved donors, including Stitching Mahamata, Her International, Surecall, Humani Trail, Reachout-2, WFCL, Developing World Connections, and the Redekop Family Endowment Fund.
Under the empowering slogan, "Why be limited to the field and cooking hall? Let's all play football," women have found a new avenue for self-expression and camaraderie. A total of 259 women from 56 mothers’ groups in Gadhawa, Rajpur, and Rapti rural municipalities actively participated in this spirited sports program, bringing a vibrant energy to their lives.
What makes this initiative even more remarkable?
This initiative is remarkable because it not only allows women to display their skills on the field but also enables them to challenge and overcome the limitations imposed on them. In many societies, married women face social mobility and opportunity restrictions, especially in male-dominated settings. These limitations are often a result of entrenched cultural norms and expectations. This competition provides a platform for women to participate in an activity that breaks the mold and gives them a chance to demonstrate their abilities in a domain traditionally dominated by men.
By participating in these competitions, women are defying gender stereotypes and reshaping perceptions about what women can achieve. The initiative becomes a "game-changer" by offering a tangible avenue for empowerment, fostering a sense of agency and independence among the participants. It also serves as a symbolic act of liberation, allowing these women to reclaim their identities and challenge the societal norms that once confined them.
Numbers of Participants in Sports/Events
S.N. | Game/ Event | Participants | Team | Date |
1. | Musical Chair | 100 | - | 26th Jan 2024 |
2. | Relay Race | 55 | 11 | 27th Jan 2024 |
3. | Football | 104 | 8 | 25th - 27th Jan 2024 |
4. | Bicycle Allocation | 30 Women, 22 Students | - | 27th Jan 2024 |
Top Ten of Musical Chair Competition
There were 100 participants in the Musical Chair Competition, which was held on 26th Jan 2024. The following participants received prizes as follows:
1. Sunita Chaudhary (First) – Paribartan Mother Group, Majheriya - 2.5 lit. Pressure
2. Sarita Chaudhary (Second) – Samrakshyan Mother Group, Parnaha - 2 lit Pressure
3. Bidesani Chaudhary (Third) – Himchuli Mother Group, Maanpur - Dekhi
4. Rabina Chaudhary – Durgha Mother Group, Majheriya - Parath
5. Aasha Chaudhary – Ekta Mother Group, Gobardiya - Parath
6. Hiramoti Chaudhary - Shirjana Mother Group, Aatipakar - Parath
7. Sarita Acharya – Sagarmatha Mother Group, Hasipur - Parath
8. Bhagmati Chaudhary – Prena Mother Group, Parnaha - Parath
9. Sundari Chaudhary – Sahara Mother Group, Parnaha - Parath
10. Mina Chaudhary – Mirmire Mother Group, Takiyapur - Parath
Top Three of Relay Race Competition
A total of 55 participants engaged in the thrilling 200-meter relay race, showcasing their speed and agility. The competition, held on January 27th, 2024, featured an exciting division into 11 teams. The commendable performances of the teams were celebrated, with well-deserved recognition for the top three positions.
The winning teams and their exceptional athletes are as follows:
A. First Position
Chanki Chaudhary, Chandra Chaudhary, Pramila Chaudhary, Simran Chaudhary, Kamala Acharya
B. Second Position
Urmila Chaudhary, Deepa Chaudhary, Gita Chaudhary, Sima Chaudhary, Kurana Chaudhary
C. Third Position
Tika Pun, Gita Gurung, Sunita Chaudhary, Gyan Kumari Chaudhary, Sunita Chaudhary
In recognition of their outstanding achievements, the following cash rewards were bestowed upon the deserving teams: First Place: Rs. 2500, Second Place: Rs. 2000, Third Place: Rs. 1500
In recognition of their outstanding achievements, the following cash rewards were bestowed upon the deserving teams: First Place: Rs. 2500, Second Place: Rs. 2000, Third Place: Rs. 1500
The Football Match
An eight-team football tournament was organized with 104 participants. On the first day of the tournament, four matches were played, and the winners of each match proceeded to the next rounds. The tournament culminated in a thrilling finale.
What was particularly inspiring about this tournament was that many of the women and mothers who participated had never played football before. Despite this, they were eager and excited to participate, although they were a bit nervous and confused at first.
The Female referees were on hand to help guide them through the basic rules and information they needed to know. With her support, the women quickly found their footing on the field and began to play with increasing skill and confidence.
Overall, the tournament was a great success, showcasing the power of sports to bring people together and inspire them to try new things. It was a wonderful opportunity for the participants to challenge themselves and to show what they were capable of achieving, both individually and as part of a team.
Flowchart of Football Match
A. Winner Group H
They received 2.5 lit Pressure Cooker, Medal and Certificate for each players through local government (Vice President) from Rajpur (Dhanpati DeviYadav), Gadhawa(Sharadha Kuamri Chaudhary) and Rapti(Kamalapati Chaudhary) and Trophy as a whole.
B. Runner Up Group E
Bicycle Allocation:
One of the significant events of the Maghi festival was the allocation of bicycles, which took place on January 27th, 2024. The event was organized by the Reachout-2, WFCL, and Mahamata Project, and a total budget of Rs. 468,000 (Four Hundred and Sixty Eight Thousand Rupees) was allocated to provide bicycles to 30 women and 22 students.
The recipients of the bicycles expressed their gratitude and excitement for the transformative impact it would have on their daily lives. They reported that the bicycles would make it more convenient for them to attend school, manage their businesses, and participate in various meetings. The provision of bicycles is seen as a catalyst for positive change, fostering a more conducive environment for education and entrepreneurship. With the newfound mobility, individuals are encouraged to attend school regularly and are empowered to run their businesses efficiently. The tangible benefits extend beyond personal convenience; families save money, and dropout rates decrease.
Furthermore, the recipients shared their belief that bicycles will serve as a motivational force, inspiring them to work even harder toward the growth of their enterprises. The distribution of bicycles to these women has proven to be a highly successful and beneficial initiative, illustrating its positive and far-reaching impact on individuals and the broader business community.
Conclusion
Rural women in Dang, Nepal have been empowered by Creating Possibilities Nepal and its partners. They have challenged traditional gender roles through various events like football, relay races, and musical chair competitions, showcasing their capabilities. The initiative has distributed bicycles, which has positively impacted education and entrepreneurship, and marks a substantial step towards positive change.
Through recreation and empowerment, this program illustrates the transformative potential of inclusive initiatives in marginalized communities. 259 women from various mother groups have participated, showing camaraderie and resilience. The initiative is a beacon of hope by redefining societal expectations and offering opportunities for advancement. It illustrates the far-reaching impact of empowering women in traditionally marginalized settings.Rural women in Dang, Nepal have been empowered by Creating Possibilities Nepal and its partners. They have challenged traditional gender roles through various events like football, relay races, and musical chair competitions, showcasing their capabilities. The initiative has distributed bicycles, which has positively impacted education and entrepreneurship, and marks a substantial step towards positive change.
This program is a testament to the transformative potential of inclusive initiatives in marginalized communities, providing recreation and empowerment. 259 women from various mother groups have participated, showing camaraderie and resilience. The initiative is a beacon of hope by redefining societal expectations and offering opportunities for advancement. It illustrates the far-reaching impact of empowering women in traditionally marginalized settings.