Kathmandu, March 8 -- For Sarita Devi Mandal, proprietor of Mithila Nari Hastakala Centre, managing her home, children, and business at once was not easy. But she had to do it anyway.

Mandal dreamed of being a nurse but she got married in 2003 while still studying in grade 9.

"Before our marriage, my husband ran the handicraft centre in Dhanusha. I took ownership of it after marriage," Mandal, 49, said.

"After handing the business over to me, my husband's involvement in the work lessened as he was mostly engaged in politics. I had to manage the kitchen, family and the business-all at the same time."

After 20 years, she has the same routine.

Insiders say that women like Mandal run the business, registered in their name, but are not pa...