Kailali, June 18 -- In the deeply rooted traditions of indigenous Tharu community, Bhalmansa or Badghar-village chief responsible for overseeing social harmony, settling disputes, performing rituals and carrying out development activities-is selected each year. The position was exclusively held by men in the past. But now Tharu women are stepping into this role, proving their leadership capacity and slowly reshaping traditional power structures.

Sitawi Kathariya is one such example of Narayangaun in ward 3 of Ghodaghodi Municipality in Kailali district. With 178 Tharu families and 91 households of the people of hill-origin, Narayangaun is a sizeable village where Sitawi has been at its helm as Bhalmansa for the past three years. Her jour...