[woman's voice singing]
[Speaking in Nepali] Hello. My name Srijana Dahal, and I am completely blind.
I was born in Tunmaya Rural Municipality - 1, Panchthar District.
I pursued a bachelor's degree in arts from Padma Kanya College in Kathmandu.
I established myself as a prominent singer on Radio Nepal, showcasing a wide range of
contemporary, religious, and local songs.
I've also released several music albums from various studios.
[scrubbing sounds]
There are several reasons why haven't gotten married.
Firstly, I've heard numerous stories about the safety concerns blind women face after marriage.
Secondly, an astrologer predicted that my future husband might marry again.
Lastly, despite making several attempts, I haven't been successful in securing a job.
Hence, I don't want to be a burden to anybody, and that has influenced my decision to remain unmarried.
[melancholic piano music]
[chatter and sounds of peeling vegetables]
[broom swishing against concrete]
I was born in Bansbari Municipality, Bardiya.
When I was 8 years old, I fell ill and sought treatment at the hospital.
Unfortunately, a novice doctor treated me, resulting in my blindness.
At the age of 10, I began learning Braille at a school in Bansbari.
I've been residing at Nepal Mother's House
for the past 8 months where I'm preparing for a teacher's license.
[hopeful piano music]
I got married in 2013 while I was studying in grade 9.
The first five years of marriage were nice.
After that, my husband later moved to Kathmandu to pursue massage training
and became involved with another woman.
Later he started troubling me and our daughter, resorting to
verbal and physical abuse.
Eventually, he moved to the house of the woman he was
having an extramarital affair with in Pokhara.
I followed him to Pokhara, where my in-laws where my in-laws were decent
but my husband's brother created issues by approaching me inappropriately.
Faced with difficulties, I decided to move to Kathmandu.
Following this, the senior members of Blind Women Association of Nepal
suggested I go to Palpa to work by selling incense sticks.
My friends also emphasize the challenges of
living alone
and considering their advice I made the decision to get remarried.
I was born in Bara District, Pacharauta Municipality-4.
I got to know Sita through a mutual friend residing in the Gulf.
After exchanging numbers, we began talking.
During our conversations, I assured Sita that I would accept both her and her daughter.
I expressed my commitment to take care of them promising never to cause trouble or make her cry.
While acknowledging that I might not fulfill all her wishes, I assured her that I would do my best.
Eventually, after two to three months of getting to know each other, we decided to start living together.
[laughter]
[contemplative piano music]
[cane tapping the ground]
My name is Rojita Ayer.
I hail from Kailali, and my paternal home is in Kanchanpur.
In my family, there is my mother and father.
My mother was also blind.
When I was 2 to 3 years old, I used to be very playful.
Suddenly, I stopped playing because of which my family got worried.
I used to play with ants because of which I became blind
and my parents came to know about it.
[food sizzling in pan]
[contemplative piano music]
[gurgling baby]
I got married in 2015 AD. The relationship was going well and during that time our
daughter was born. However, in 2022 AD my husband became involved with
another woman.
Following this, he ceased providing psychological and economic support.
My daughter and I faced numerous difficulties for basic survival.
We endured verbal abuse and threats of abandonment.
I was pregnant with my second child when he left.
He became unresponsive, leaving me, my daughter, and the unborn child in disarray.
Currently, I live with my two children without any financial support, making life challenging.
[contemplative piano music]
[cane hitting stairs]
Hello. My name is Sita Subedi. I work as a president at Blind Women Association of Nepal (BWAN).
Myself, I am diagnosed with low vision.
We advocate to the government on behalf of blind women and women with disabilities
addressing key areas like education, health, employment, social security, and human rights.
[creaking metal door opening and closing]
Through BWAN we strive to secure the rights of blind women and those with
disabilities through a strategic advocacy plan. Acting as a pressure group, our goal
is to enhance the capabilities of these women in crucial areas such as education,
health, employment, human rights, etc. We push for the creation and implementation of policies at
federal, provincial, and local levels that are both disability-friendly and gender-inclusive.
[papers rustling]
To guarantee the safety and well-being of blind women after marriage
it is crucial for families, society, and relevant authorities to be responsible and supportive.
Apart from that, job opportunities should be
provided based on the skills and needs of blind women
To effectively implement these solutions,
awareness programs should be conducted in various locations
accompanied by consultations for families and communities.
In our efforts to make justice more accessible for women with disabilities
particularly in marriage and socialization, we have been diligently working to challenge
and change discriminatory clauses within the civil code.
Our aim is to advocate for a code that is both disability-friendly and gender-inclusive.
We also have to reengage with local judicial committees to address the specific legal needs of women
with disabilities who confront violence and discrimination.
BWAN is dedicated to supporting these women, especially blind women
by pursuing legal action to address the unique challenges they face in marital contexts.
[uplifting piano music]