WEBVTT Kind: captions Language: en 00:00:04.102 --> 00:00:09.662 [woman's voice singing] 00:00:38.560 --> 00:00:43.320 [Speaking in Nepali] Hello. My name Srijana Dahal, and I am completely blind. 00:00:43.980 --> 00:00:48.499 I was born in Tunmaya Rural Municipality - 1, Panchthar District. 00:00:49.937 --> 00:00:56.440 I pursued a bachelor's degree in arts from Padma Kanya College in Kathmandu. 00:01:01.913 --> 00:01:07.560 I established myself as a prominent singer  on Radio Nepal, showcasing a wide range of   00:01:07.560 --> 00:01:10.480 contemporary, religious, and local songs. 00:01:10.594 --> 00:01:15.271 I've also released several music albums from various studios. 00:01:24.240 --> 00:01:26.240 [scrubbing sounds] 00:01:28.257 --> 00:01:31.480 There are several reasons  why haven't gotten married. 00:01:31.800 --> 00:01:38.800 Firstly, I've heard numerous stories about the  safety concerns blind women face after marriage. 00:01:40.769 --> 00:01:45.960 Secondly, an astrologer predicted  that my future husband might marry again. 00:01:49.785 --> 00:01:54.674 Lastly, despite making several attempts,  I haven't been successful in securing a job. 00:02:02.880 --> 00:02:08.880 Hence, I don't want to be a burden to anybody, and that has influenced my decision to remain unmarried. 00:02:10.705 --> 00:02:11.205 [melancholic piano music] 00:02:42.200 --> 00:02:45.600 [chatter and sounds of peeling vegetables] 00:02:50.600 --> 00:02:53.148 [broom swishing against concrete] 00:03:03.640 --> 00:03:07.557 I was born in Bansbari Municipality, Bardiya. 00:03:07.969 --> 00:03:12.960 When I was 8 years old, I fell  ill and sought treatment at the hospital. 00:03:12.960 --> 00:03:16.720 Unfortunately, a novice doctor treated me,  resulting in my blindness.   00:03:18.000 --> 00:03:22.480 At the age of 10, I began learning Braille at  a school in Bansbari. 00:03:23.223 --> 00:03:27.279 I've been residing at Nepal Mother's House 00:03:27.279 --> 00:03:31.921 for the past 8 months where I'm preparing for a teacher's license. 00:03:32.920 --> 00:03:35.660 [hopeful piano music] 00:03:51.340 --> 00:03:55.661 I got married in 2013 while I was studying in grade 9. 00:03:59.907 --> 00:04:02.148 The first five years of marriage were nice. 00:04:06.000 --> 00:04:10.885 After that, my husband later  moved to Kathmandu to pursue massage training 00:04:13.652 --> 00:04:16.474 and became involved with another woman. 00:04:18.886 --> 00:04:22.520 Later he started troubling  me and our daughter, resorting to   00:04:22.520 --> 00:04:26.074 verbal and physical abuse. 00:04:26.074 --> 00:04:28.960 Eventually, he moved to the house of the woman he was   00:04:28.960 --> 00:04:31.511 having an extramarital affair with in Pokhara. 00:04:31.717 --> 00:04:36.000 I followed him to Pokhara, where my in-laws where my in-laws were decent 00:04:38.169 --> 00:04:42.550 but my husband's brother created  issues by approaching me inappropriately.  00:04:44.240 --> 00:04:47.840 Faced with difficulties, I decided to move  to Kathmandu.  00:04:49.006 --> 00:04:53.184 Following this, the senior members of Blind Women Association of Nepal 00:04:54.000 --> 00:04:57.587 suggested I go to Palpa to work by selling incense sticks. 00:04:58.767 --> 00:05:00.767 My friends  also emphasize the challenges of   00:05:01.414 --> 00:05:03.414 living alone 00:05:04.301 --> 00:05:08.259 and considering their  advice I made the decision to get remarried. 00:05:26.520 --> 00:05:31.400 I was born in Bara District, Pacharauta Municipality-4. 00:05:31.634 --> 00:05:35.720 I got to know Sita through a mutual friend residing in the Gulf. 00:05:40.187 --> 00:05:43.760 After exchanging numbers, we began talking. 00:05:46.915 --> 00:05:52.040 During our conversations, I assured Sita that I would accept both her and her daughter. 00:05:53.240 --> 00:05:59.480 I expressed my commitment to take care of them  promising never to cause trouble or make her cry. 00:06:00.760 --> 00:06:06.840 While acknowledging that I might not fulfill all  her wishes, I assured her that I would do my best.   00:06:06.840 --> 00:06:12.800 Eventually, after two to three months of getting  to know each other, we decided to start living together. 00:06:12.955 --> 00:06:14.301 [laughter] 00:06:14.837 --> 00:06:17.336 [contemplative piano music] 00:06:26.320 --> 00:06:30.320 [cane tapping the ground] 00:06:38.120 --> 00:06:39.240 My name is Rojita Ayer. 00:06:42.404 --> 00:06:46.059 I hail from Kailali, and my paternal home is in  Kanchanpur. 00:06:47.410 --> 00:06:50.145 In my family, there is my mother and father. 00:06:52.371 --> 00:06:54.371 My mother was also blind. 00:06:55.752 --> 00:06:59.447 When I was 2 to 3 years old, I used to be very playful. 00:07:01.480 --> 00:07:06.374 Suddenly, I stopped playing because of  which my family got worried.   00:07:07.384 --> 00:07:11.748 I used to play with ants because of which I became blind 00:07:12.902 --> 00:07:15.360 and my parents came to know about it. 00:07:16.308 --> 00:07:18.345 [food sizzling in pan] 00:07:29.320 --> 00:07:31.080 [contemplative piano music] 00:07:31.080 --> 00:07:33.080 [gurgling baby] 00:07:38.880 --> 00:07:48.480 I got married in 2015 AD. The relationship  was going well and during that time our   00:07:48.480 --> 00:07:56.280 daughter was born. However, in 2022  AD my husband became involved with   00:07:56.280 --> 00:07:57.440 another woman. 00:07:59.357 --> 00:08:03.876 Following this, he ceased providing psychological and economic support. 00:08:06.305 --> 00:08:11.389 My daughter and I faced numerous  difficulties for basic survival.   00:08:11.846 --> 00:08:15.406 We endured verbal abuse and threats of abandonment. 00:08:16.478 --> 00:08:19.612 I was pregnant with my second child when he left. 00:08:21.288 --> 00:08:26.755 He became unresponsive, leaving me,  my daughter, and the unborn child in disarray. 00:08:28.964 --> 00:08:34.641 Currently, I live with my two children  without any financial support, making life challenging. 00:08:34.641 --> 00:08:36.592 [contemplative piano music] 00:08:36.592 --> 00:08:38.592 [cane hitting stairs] 00:09:05.000 --> 00:09:13.560 Hello. My name is Sita Subedi. I work as a president  at Blind Women Association of Nepal (BWAN). 00:09:14.024 --> 00:09:16.880 Myself, I am diagnosed with low vision. 00:09:17.230 --> 00:09:23.229 We advocate to the government on behalf of blind women and women with  disabilities 00:09:23.903 --> 00:09:31.177 addressing key areas like education, health, employment, social security, and human rights. 00:09:32.058 --> 00:09:35.124 [creaking metal door opening and closing] 00:09:50.600 --> 00:09:55.920 Through BWAN we strive to secure  the rights of blind women and those with   00:09:55.920 --> 00:10:02.880 disabilities through a strategic advocacy  plan. Acting as a pressure group, our goal   00:10:02.880 --> 00:10:09.840 is to enhance the capabilities of these  women in crucial areas such as education,  00:10:09.840 --> 00:10:19.360 health, employment, human rights, etc. We push for  the creation and implementation of policies at   00:10:19.360 --> 00:10:26.221 federal, provincial, and local levels that  are both disability-friendly and gender-inclusive. 00:10:29.110 --> 00:10:31.999 [papers rustling] 00:10:37.680 --> 00:10:41.090 To guarantee the safety and  well-being of blind women after marriage 00:10:44.080 --> 00:10:49.895 it is crucial for families, society,  and relevant authorities to be responsible and supportive. 00:10:56.720 --> 00:10:59.440 Apart from that, job opportunities should be   00:10:59.440 --> 00:11:04.168 provided based on the skills and needs of blind women 00:11:12.000 --> 00:11:14.552 To effectively implement these solutions, 00:11:19.272 --> 00:11:24.560 awareness programs should  be conducted in various locations   00:11:24.560 --> 00:11:28.960 accompanied by consultations  for families and communities. 00:11:33.120 --> 00:11:38.280 In our efforts to make justice more  accessible for women with disabilities   00:11:38.280 --> 00:11:44.280 particularly in marriage and socialization,  we have been diligently working to challenge   00:11:44.280 --> 00:11:48.606 and change discriminatory clauses within the  civil code. 00:11:49.410 --> 00:11:55.209 Our aim is to advocate for a code that is both disability-friendly and gender-inclusive. 00:11:56.075 --> 00:12:03.315 We also have to reengage with local judicial committees to address the specific legal needs of women 00:12:03.541 --> 00:12:07.439 with disabilities who confront violence and discrimination. 00:12:08.470 --> 00:12:13.067 BWAN is dedicated to supporting these women, especially blind women 00:12:13.644 --> 00:12:19.837 by pursuing legal action to address  the unique challenges they face in marital contexts. 00:12:22.022 --> 00:12:25.718 [uplifting piano music]