Founder Story by Sangita Nirola, Kathmandu, Nepal
What I would most appreciate having you write is a statement about your experience as a founder. In other words, describe your "founder journey". (Question posed to Sangita by Sallie Gratch, founder, Women Founders Collective.)
My journey as a woman founder began on January 2002 when I was a victim of gender discrimination at my work place. I was working in a five star hotel in Kathmandu, Nepal. I joined the hotel at its pre-opening stage and served the hotel to the best of my capacity. But when the hotel started to give promotions to male candidates, overlooking me, I realized that I was facing gender bias. My manager was not convinced that a woman could run the department. The very day I realized this gender bias, I typed my resignation letter and submitted it to my department head. I wanted to show them that earning a good salary was not my only priority; I also needed justice.
That was the turning point of my career. I saw this as an opportunity to challenge them, to show I knew I can perform at a high level and that one day I will show them my strength as a leader. I was very disturbed by my Manager's statement that I do not have leadership quality. I believed otherwise.
When I went home I started thinking of other women in my country who are less educated and privileged than I. My eye opening for initiating the NGO for women's empowerment was: " If a woman like me who has access to resources, who is privileged, educated and born and raised in the city faces gender discrimination, how and what is the situation for other women in this country who are less fortunate than I?”
It was then that I decided to found an NGO named Swati. “Swati” is the name of the goddess of power. I chose this name because I wanted to show all men and the community that women are more powerful if they are united and if they want to do something, they mean it and complete it.
When I started Swati, I had no idea how to begin. Therefore, I went to visit many organizations to gather information and resources. The persons from most organizations were not very helpful and cooperative; but I still continued my effort and gathered a lot of information. Slowly, I began reading books on gender and empowerment and participated in various workshops, seminars and focus group discussions. I gave whatever money I had to set up an office. I rented a flat and started the office with one supporting staff. Through the Internet, I learned about Global Fund for Women USA (GFW USA). I started communicating with them via email. Then one day, one of my friends recommended an Australian volunteer to me by the name of Amy Wickham. Amy and I then started searching funds through the Internet. Finally we were able to convince GFW USA of Swati’s worth and we received seed money of $7000. With this grant, we started lady drivers’ training, the main program of Swati.
I believe that unless women are not economically independent, they cannot be empowered. With this vision, I started providing skill trainings for underprivileged groups of women, women from conflict areas and single women. Swati is the first women's organization in Nepal who produces lady drivers. Our lady drivers are hired by UN agencies along with other NGOs. The women earn a very good salary compared to jobs most women have.
We also started weekly interaction programs on women's issues. These programs are focused on issues for housewives who lack knowledge of their rights and other aspects of gender and empowerment. Every week we invite prominent personalities to deliver speeches on a given theme. This program helped us a lot to interact with many people as well as with journalists resulting in our making a special place for ourselves in the media. In this way, our program has been given much attention through the media.
Now I am proud to say that Swati is a well-respected and well-established NGO in Nepal.
Today, Swati has reached five years of its journey toward the empowerment of women. Swati also works for good governance. In reframing and restructuring Swati's vision and mission, we now have a mission of promoting good governance through women's empowerment. Our long-term vision is to mainstream women in the socio-economic and political development of my country.
Swati has been running smoothly for the past three years as we were able to gain funding from major donors like ESD/DFID, USAID, GFW and Danida HUGOU.
However, all of our projects will be soon phased out. Now I am in such a position that I have to decide which area, sector and donors I should work with. I have to secure funds for the coming five years. Swati has become well recognized and currently has six district offices outside Kathmandu valley. Each office requires money to run its activities and for the running cost of the office.
Right now I am in such a position that I do not have the funding but still want to run programs and offices our six districts. It's a great challenge for me. But still I am hopeful and believe in myself that I can manage all these problems and will get funding.
The only thing is that if I get a little amount of money in this difficult period, I would be recharged for further activities. In this time of transition for my organization, friends, women founders, I need your moral support and suggestions.
Sangita Nirola
Founder
Swati
www.swatinepal.org.np
Kathmandu, Nepal
July 2007