The Program on Refugees, Forced Displacement, and Humanitarian Responses presents
Sadikshya Ghimire, Legal Advocacy Coordinator, New Haven-based, immigration non-profit Elena’s Light:
“Resilience Amidst Exodus: Nepali Women’s Narratives of Emigration, Hopelessness, and Societal Transformation.”
This presentation unveils the profound impacts of Nepali emigration, focusing on the often-overlooked narratives of women left behind. It investigates the narratives of Nepal women affected by familial emigration, contextualizing their responses within the broader macroeconomic conditions propelling Nepali emigration (the Nepali civil war and the rapid urbanization and globalization of Nepal). Engaging in a dialogue between societal conditions and familial experiences, the interviews conducted by Sadikshya Ghimire reveal the intertwined narratives of hopelessness, disrupted familial structures, and evolving gender roles. Despite a pervasive sense of hopelessness about Nepal’s conditions, these women showcase resilience in their individual lives, navigating transnational challenges with acceptance, improvisation, and resourcefulness. Their stories challenge the dominant narrative of victimhood, highlighting strength and agency. The resilience demonstrated by Nepali women offers a potential avenue for positive transformation, suggesting adaptive strategies to address underlying macroeconomic issues and redirect Nepal’s trajectory away from reliance on emigration.