But despite the agony of losing her husband at the tender age of 18 she did not lose her hope. For the last several years, she has been crushing stones to make a living and send her three daughters to school. [break]
“I lost my husband at a very tender age, but I did not lose hope. I have, somehow, managed to send my children to school,” said Sunita. Her husband was allegedly killed by one of her neighbors.
“In a caste-based society like ours, there are always difficulties for a Dalit widow. People look down on us. But I went against odds to make a living,” she said.
In a male dominated society, many single Dalit women like Sunita have gained financial independence. These single women have taken up various jobs to feed their families.
Suntali BK of Dohali VDC is another such single woman in the district. After her husband was killed, she has taken up a job as a village messenger. The mother of four children carries out her job responsibly. “Had I not taken up the job, I would have been begging in the streets,” said Suntali. She has also married off her two daughters with her income as a village messenger.
Dhana Bhandari, treasurer of Single Women, a non-governmental organization working for the welfare of single women in the district, said a majority of single women in the district have taken up different jobs lately. “The social environment for single women is still hostile. But many single women from the Dalit community are gaining financial independence,” added Bhandari.
Likewise, Kamala Baral, president of the Association of Dalit Women, said over 50 percent single women in the district are struggling to seek economic independence.
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