It might be difficult to deny that social
discrimination against women exists in Nepal. The issue of gender inequality of
Nepal has been addressed by the press for a long time. However, it does not
mean that there are no possibilities for change even though circumstances in
general are quite tough for women.
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| Mundu Thapa, The first woman chairperson of Coffee Cooperative Union Sindhupalchok |
We would like to introduce a brilliant woman whom I know, and who proves power of
women. Mundu Thapa(32) is a chairperson of district level Coffee Cooperative
Union (CCU) Sindhupalchok. In 2016, the fourth year of
establishment of CCU Sindhupalchok, members held an election for a new leader
who could make improvements on their cooperative. As a result of the election,
she turned out to be a new chairperson. It was the first time that a woman
becomes a chairperson of one of the coffee cooperatives in Nepal.
Mundu
started coffee farming almost at the same time she married when she was 18
years old. Working as a coordinator of organic coffee production (Internal Control) system, she
has been most active than anyone else in producing Fair Trade coffee
and participating in organizational capacity building.
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| Mundu Thapa attending a cooperative meeting |
Many members of the cooperative compliment her on her professionality and
passion as a coffee producer. Besides it was she who really did the best to take
care of cooperative members and struggled to manage an aid relief to help
people recovering from the devastating 2015 earthquake. Of course there were some people
worrying about a ‘female’ chairperson at the beginning, however, now all of the 603 families of CCU Sindhupalchok
trust and follow her.
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| Mundu Thapa looking around coffee pulping centers in Sindhupalchok |
“Coffee is
so important thing to me. Sometimes I ask myself ‘how do I live without
coffee?’ I hardly imagine. Therefore, I take it for granted that I do this job (as a
chairperson) for coffee and other coffee producers” She said.
We―Beautiful
Coffee Nepal―thank her for her
efforts and believe that she is already a role model giving courage and insights to other women around her.