International Women's Day

Many of us are being regaled today with lists of well known women who have done great things.  Rightly so.  I just want to take this opportunity to do a little rave about some women who will never be on lists, or have their faces splashed across newspapers, or be recognised with international awards.  But they are truly women who deserve recognition and encouragement.  And I know I am preaching to the converted here.Kopila Basnet and the women of Samunnat Nepal are truly extraordinary.  (And so are the men on the Board but today is not their day!)  In the face of political unrest, subtle and less subtle resistance and opposition, fear, ignorance, poverty, entrenched cultural practices and so many other things, these women courageously and ever so resiliently strive to challenge the status quo and make life for women better in a country where a woman's life can be very tough. It has been such a joy for me to watch formerly fearful, cowed woman  respond to sharing with women who have endured what they have.  They slowly lose that traumatised look and even start to smile and joke.  They realise they are not alone and that they do not deserve to be treated the way they have been.  They become increasingly brave and empowered and in turn they become mentors to the new women who arrive at Samunnat's doors.  They encourage them to speak out against insidious torture and blatant aggression.  They encourage them to learn new skills and take those first steps to independence.  And fearlessly and hopefully, they go out into their community to talk about human rights and their rights as women.Slowly, slowly things are changing.  Police will still tell a beaten women who comes to them that they are powerless but then, when she returns with her entourage of confident, supportive (and, it has to be said, sometimes rowdy) Samunnat sisters in tow, some police listen.  And some even help.  Some even send women to Samunnat to get the help they need to lay charges against those who have been hurting them.  High ups who beat or, in some cases, even kill their unwanted wives, may now be found guilty and charged.  Years ago, this would not have happened.  Cast aside wives who may have been forced to work on the streets are now learning to manage their own small businesses so their children can be educated and parents of beaten women are realising that taking their brutalized daughters back home can work out.So, today, International Women's Day, think of those thousands of unnamed women who fight for the rights of their sisters when the fight is really tough and often unacknowledged.  And give yourselves a quiet thank you for supporting and encouraging them.