Conference will address needs of Nepali women

By ADAM SMITH

Bidya RanjeetWhile the population of Nepali women in the United States is tiny, they still face many challenges such as domestic abuse, according to Bidya Ranjeet, the president of the Nepali Women's Global Network.
That's why the group is hosting a day-long conference on August 9 at the University of Connecticut in Storrs to advocate for Nepali women living in the United States and in Nepal.
"It's similar issues that all women face," said Ranjeet, "issues of domestic violence [and] discrimination in the work place."
But, she said, the problem is exacerbated because Nepali traditions prevent many women from speaking up.
"In short, we are socialized not to talk about our personal issues," said Ranjeet, who came to the United States over two decades ago to study higher education at the University of Connecticut.
She said that family pressures keep some women in abusive relationships because it’s taboo to get divorced.
"Some people are not willing to leave their spouses, even though they are able to — because it's like, 'What are people going to say?' Even their parents are not willing to see them separated because in their culture it's not what is good for you, it's ‘what will people say?’" she said. "So, they kind of accept it and live in that situation. I had one case where it took a long time for this woman to finally get a divorce. She's doing very well now, but she almost died. She couldn't move her eyes because of how much he beat her."
The details of the conference are still being finalized, said Ranjeet, but she expects more than 100 advocates of the Nepali community, researchers and academics to attend the day-long event. She expects the cost of the conference, which will include dinner and lunch, to be $50 per ticket.
"We're trying to open up a dialogue on issues pertaining to women," she said. "We want to increase access to resources for women."
Estimates put the number of Nepali-immigrants in America at around 12,000, according to the 2000 U.S. Census.
The Nepali Global Women's Network aims to help both women who have immigrated to the United States and those in Nepal. It offers several scholarship programs for women, including three annual scholarships worth $300 each for nurses in Nepal. The nonprofit also offers scholarships for Nepali women to study in the United States and essay-writing awards.
Ranjeet, who directs student support services at UConn's Center for Academic Programs, was previously a teacher in Katmandu, where she also founded a grade school. She said her interest in helping Nepali women stems from her upbringing — her mother was a nurse and her father a politician.
"I grew up in an environment fighting for equality," she said.