HEART REVOLUTION | LIFE LESSONS | WOMEN | ROADSIDE STORIES FROM NEPAL
Women Hold Up Half The Sky
But many have much more to shoulder
Women are Nepal’s backbone, we often hear. But while they hold up half the sky for others, there’s not much happening for them in return. Instead, many women are forced to lead an existence that often hides a cruel tragedy. With much more to shoulder than just half the sky.
Karmila is one of these bold souls
She sits in a small hut somewhere in Nepal’s rugged mountain world, hiding from the scorching April sun. A slender woman with matted hair. A single streak peeks out from underneath her battered towel, which she has wrapped around her head like a majestic turban.
Next to her on the dusty floor rests a greasy, once-white jerry can. One of those used to transport gasoline. Attached to it is a brittle rope that helps haul the bulky beast.
As I approach to share Karmila’s shade, she walks off to the adjoining snack shop to get a cigarette. A moment later, she returns with the smoldering affair.
After a few deep drags, Karmila leans back and begins to talk. Her voice is soft and crackling. Maybe from countless years of smoking unfiltered fags or just the…
