Aarati’s thriving tailoring shop
Aarati, 20, was forced into marriage at a young age, ending her hopes of completing her education. Against all odds, Aarati now proudly owns a thriving tailoring shop. She diligently saves a portion of her income, bringing financial stability to her family and joyfully contributing to their well-being.
Dreams shattered by early marriage
“My dream of finishing my studies and getting a good job was shattered due to my family responsibilities and household chores.”
Her husband Sunesh is the main breadwinner for their family of 6, which includes his parents and younger siblings, but his income is not enough to support everyone. The family also cultivates a small piece of land, but the lack of groundwater makes it difficult to produce much.
“It’s hard to make ends meet for my family, it’s a constant struggle, especially since my husband, a labourer, can’t contribute much,” explains Aarati, who lives in a remote part of Nepal’s Baridya district. “We were always arguing about money.”
“My dream of finishing my studies and getting a good job was shattered due to my family responsibilities and household chores.”
Aarati
Mastering advanced sewing techniques
Passionate about sewing since childhood, Aarati watched her aunt sew clothes as a young girl and tried to learn as much as she could from her, but her skills remained at a basic level. So when she heard about a training course offered by Plan International to learn tailoring skills, she was eager to join.
“I wanted to learn professional sewing skills and start a sewing business,” says Aarati. “The three-month training course helped me to master advanced sewing techniques and now I can produce garments of exceptional quality. I’ve become an expert in cutting and sewing shirts, trousers, hats, dresses, blouses, and skirts.”
Setting up her business and becoming an entrepreneur
After her training, Aarati started her own sewing business, setting up a shop in her local market. “Thanks to the generous support I received after my training, I was able to open my tailoring shop with essential tools and a loan, which helped me start my entrepreneurial journey.”
Aarati received a start-up kit from Plan International, including a sewing machine and supplies, to get her business off the ground. She also secured a loan from a women’s cooperative that supports female entrepreneurs. This enabled her to furnish her shop with essential items such as a counter, clothes rack, and chairs, and she opened her shop in 2023.
In her first month of business, Aarati’s shop attracted a lot of interest. Customers appreciated her fine craftsmanship and started to come in to ask for made-to-measure clothes. “I offer a wide range of options to my customers, which makes my shop stand out in the market.”
“I offer a wide range of options to my customers, which makes my shop stand out in the market.”
Aarati
Building a community of empowered women
Aarati’s expertise extends beyond sewing, as she has taken on 4 young women as apprentices, teaching them everything she knows. Now, Aarati has established herself as a young businesswoman in her community. “Sharing my skills not only increases the knowledge of others but also fosters a community of empowered women in my shop.”
Taking a proactive approach to her future, Aarati saves part of her income with a women’s savings cooperative and is happy to be able to contribute financially to her family. “My family’s basic needs are now met, I can buy all the essentials like salt, oil, soda, soap, and vegetables.”
Aarati is on track to repay the loan she took out to set up her shop and hopes to further improve her family’s financial security. “Running my own tailoring business has not only provided me with a source of income but has also enabled me to support my family and pursue my dreams.”
“I may have married early, but now I have the responsibility to secure a better future for my family and break the cycle of tradition.”
“I may have married early, but now I have the responsibility to secure a better future for my family and break the cycle of tradition.”
Aarati
About the project
Child, Not Bride (CNB) is a four-year multi-sectoral project funded by Norwegian State Broadcast Corporation (NRK Telethon), focused on developing youth leadership and strengthening opportunities for youth economic empowerment. The project teaches young people about their sexual and reproductive health and rights, particularly girls and young women with the aim of addressing child, early, and forced marriage as a barrier to empowerment.
The CNB project provides vocational training on quick income-generating activities and support on starting and improving businesses for households that have adolescent girls in their families. Following the training, each participant receives seed capital to help them open their own businesses or expand existing ones. The project is being implemented by local partner organisations BEE Group in Bardiya and Aasaman Nepal in Dhanusa.
Related pages
