Interventions for the inclusion and empowerment of women in tourism

There are some limited interventions made by Non-Government Organizations (NGO) and governments to include and empower women in tourism. The paragraphs below highlight such interventions.

7.6.1   Role of the Government

Women’s considerable participation in tourism industry of Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, can undoubtedly play a remarkable role in women's empowerment. Various conferences and programs have been conducted regarding the issues related to women in tourism industry. In this regard, an interaction program on "Women Mainstreaming in Tourism" was organized by Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, government in Pokhara on 18 February 2009 so as to discuss the role of women in the tourism industry of Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, commemorating the forthcoming Women's Day. Women from different walks of life as well as different districts including Kaski, Gorkha and Lumjung actively participated in the interaction and sought their role in tourism in the changing context (NTB

2009).

Recognizing the soaring importance of the role of women in tourism, the then Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation asserted that the role of women in tourism should be redefined since women are the base of this industry. ‘Involvement of women in tourism will create sustainability in tourism and there should be good coordination among old and new women tourism entrepreneurs to increase the participation of women in tourism and exchange their idea and experiences’ said the Minister. In the same interaction, a senior woman tourism entrepreneur and managing director of Hotel Dwarika's mentioned that women must not ask for reservation but for equal right and opportunity. Sharing her four decade long experience in tourism, she said women have now become successful in many areas, and encouraged all participants to be the employers of the tourism business, not employees.

7.6.2   Roles of Non-Government Organizations (NGO)

Some roles and involvements are gradually observed for the inclusion and empowerment of women in tourism in Pokhara.

7.6.2.1 Role of Empowering Women of Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country,

Founded in 1999, Empowering Women of Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, is the other NGO which has been conducting programs to enhance learning, skill and capacity of the women of disadvantageous communities. The organization has aimed at making women economically independent, increasing their decision making role, enriching their self-confidence, identifying their hidden capacity, forwarding them in adventure tourism, empowering them through skill and learning and more importantly by teaching them life skills. Since its inception, the organization has been conducting training programs for women related to trekking guide, rock climbing, mountain climbing, hospitality, lodge management, cooking, eco-tourism, tour guide, ice climbing and fundamental tourism. Nearly 2000 women have benefited from the various trainings related to tourism. It has developed a norm that women can strongly involve in tourism if their capacity is enriched by means of learning skills and knowledge. It has been providing training with a high priority to women from Dolpa, Mugu, Humla, Kalikot, Jumla and other remote areas. By providing training for adventure tourism and trekking guide trainings, the organization has played a remarkable role in increasing women's participation in tourism. The majority of women, who have acquired trainings from EWN and professionally involved in trekking tourism, belong to lower castes from remote and Himali region (Khatiwada 2009).

7.6.2.2 Role of Annapurna Daughter's Club

Annapurna Daughter's Club is a non-profit NGO under the Ganesh Laxmi Charitable Trust. It was founded in 2010 with a view of developing, publicizing and promoting Pokhara and Annapurna region as well- managed tourist destinations.

 

Photo 7.2 Declaration event of Annapurna Daughters’ Club at Annapurna Base Camp, Source: Mahendra Shrestha, Pokhara, 2013.

It has been working to popularize Annapurna region in the world through documentary. With an objective of preparing women manpower for tourism business of Pokhara, it had provided a two-day training on "Design the Future" and "Role and Necessity of Women in Tourism", in which altogether 25 women were the participants. Based on the goal to promote women in tourism, this organization believes that Pokhara and its surroundings can get recognition only through women's pleasant tone, calm nature and good behavior. The organization has been conducting awareness programs and welcome ceremonies to tourists every year on tourism day. It has also managed home stay for foreign female tourists. It had privately managed a children’s program named "Small World" for two and half years and a residential care center for 9 orphan children so that skilled women human resources would be produced in the tourist sector in future (ADC 2013).