Women working for daily wage to run houses independently

By Our Correspondent,Kalikot, May 15: Women in Kalikot district have started working as daily wage earners to become economically independent.

"A matchbox costs Rs. 5. I had to look at my husband's face for that Rs. 5. I did not even have money to make a fire and start cooking. 

I had to depend on my husband for everything. I could not tolerate him struggling for everything we need as a family," said Anita Bista, a local of Ward No. 1 of Narharinath Rural Municipality in Kalikot.

Over time, Anita has started working as a daily wage earner. She is now busy in an under-construction health post in the village.

These days Anita can be seen carrying stones for the health post's construction alongside Reshma Bista. Moreover, the majority of workers working at the site are women. Some carry stones and others break them.

"Working has helped me earn a decent amount from which I can buy basic necessities such as oil, salt, spices and vegetables. 

I can at least run my kitchen independently," said Reshma.

According to the women workers, they finish their household chores at the earliest to reach the construction site because only the latter gives them money and the feeling of self-dependence.

However, women argued that their wage rate was discriminated, the wage rate was biased on the basis of sex.

"The daily wage rate for women is lower than that for men. I am paid  lesser than the men workers, but still I am working because I at least can earn some. Who shall we request for a fair wage?" questioned Amalpura Malla, a woman working as daily wage earner from Ward No. 8 of Khandachakra Municipality in Kalikot.