Three socially committed groups have empowered and educated 440 illiterate women residing in Palata Rural Municipality (1 to 6) in Kalikot District.

The rural women can read and write after Sabal Kendra, 18 women’s groups formed by the rural municipality, and Karnlai Integrated Rural Development and Research Centre, a Non Government Organisation, educated them.

Tutha Pyakurel, resident of Banjada in Patala-2 said the women can now read and write, use mobile phones and calculators after taking six months of classes. “In the past, we used to hide when we saw new people entering our village,” said Pyakurel.

Chairman of the rural municipality Laxman Bahadur Bam said the village assembly allocated Rs 2.9 million budget for women’s education. “We have planned to make all women literate within this year,” said Bam, adding that Palata was declared “alcohol free area” only with the help of literate women.