INSPIRATION

Nepal 2010

Although I was aware of the struggle that women face in Nepal, it was only when I met and befriended Meera that I came to understand what that truly meant on a daily level. In spite of the inequalities that culture and custom weighed down on her, she was proud and strong. I was struck with her strength of spirit in the face of the hardships that she simply accepted as her existence. It forced me to examine my own privileged life.

As I travelled on, I met other women and although their stories were different, the reality is, being a woman in Nepal is hard. Life is far from fair.  I wanted to help. Then I saw a sign, Empowering Women of Nepal, literally. The organisation was seeking volunteers to teach English on a training course in remote, western Nepal. That was all I needed to know.

The training programme, “Women’s Initiation into Eco-Tourism”, outlines basic guidelines on improving their businesses (usually a family-run tea house on the trekking trails). The programme informs them of things like basic hygiene practices and hospitality guidelines. In addition, the women are taught some English enabling them to communicate with their guests. I taught the English class every afternoon.

The six-day training changed my life. The women I met were beautiful, spirited and keen to learn. The positive impact this programme had on them was clearly visible within the first few days. This short training was making a difference to their perception of themselves, empowering them with knowledge and giving them a newfound confidence. I felt compelled to find out more about these women and their lives. Their story was of hope and change. And it was waiting to be told.

Miranda

DOCUMENTARY

Daughters of the Curved Moon is the working title for Shakti Pictures’ inaugural project, a documentary set in the Himalayas of western Nepal in a district called Jumla. This project is an independent documentary film examining women’s role in society in this remote, rural part of the country through the observation of women empowered by training and support. Our intention is to raise awareness of the plight of women in this society whilst sharing a message of hope that things can, and are changing, one woman at a time.

Set with the backdrop of the stunning Himalayas, this beautiful and underdeveloped region of Nepal is on the verge of significant change. A push to create a tourism economy is starting to alter the lives and livelihoods of the local population. In addition, the political landscape of Nepal is going through a major shift. Though long overdue and painfully drawn out, a new constitution is in the works that purports to be redressing the balance of gender inequality. A new generation of women are starting to realise that they have choices and that education and training can give them the tools to make a better life.

We went to Jumla to shoot the first portion of the film in November 2011. The second shoot is scheduled for March 2012.