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Empowering Women of Nepal Women's Trekking Guide Training "Every woman with the desire to change her life deserves thehope of a brighter future." |
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Empowering Women of Nepal (EWN)
and 3 Sisters Adventure Trekking work in partnership to promote and empower
women through adventure tourism. Together they combine practical skill-based
training programs with gainful employment opportunities, specifically focused in
the trekking industry. Responding to the gross inequality of women in
Nepal, EWN offers
unprecedented opportunities for Nepali women to improve their quality
of life.
How the project works
Twice a year, women embark on a journey that will change
their lives. A free 6-month trekking guide apprenticeship program awaits them in
Pokhara at the base of the Himalayas. Women from remote rural areas are provided
with free accommodation and food at the EWN hostel. In addition everyone is
supplied with trekking equipment. The program starts with an intensive 4-week training
course that teaches them technical and conversational English as well as essential skills and knowledge to work as trekking guides.
In only a month, women, who had
no means of earning a living by themselves, start on the path to
self-sufficiency. At the end of this 4-week training course, the women start work in the
apprenticeship program where
they will be paid while acquiring field experience working as trekking guide
trainees. This provides an immediate economic benefit to the women. Each woman learns at her own pace, possibly going through the 6-month program
only once, possibly several times, until she has refined the necessary skills
enough to become a fully qualified trekking guide. During the quiet season
for trekking, EWN offers additional training programs as well as refresher courses to help the women
refine their skills. The action based and apprentice training approach allows
women to advance up the trekking guide ladder as they gain experience. Our Mission Statement Our mission is to help foster the growth of independent, self-sufficient, decision-making women, by encouraging self-empowerment. Aims & Objectives
 Why female trekking guides? Women travelers seek the comfort and security that a female trekking guide provides. There is a large demand in the market for female trekking staff but a limited supply of skilled women. Women constitute only a small percentage of the tourism sector due to gender discrimination. We aim to fill this void in the male dominated industry of trekking and in the process offer our Nepali sisters a new and invigorating lifestyle.What are the benefits of training? Trekking training offers a unique combination of very practical life skills as well as a broader global perspective. Trekking training should improve women's thinking skills and foster independent thought. Women learn trekking skills such as map reading, trip planning and mountain first aid. They receive in depth courses on Nepal's flora, fauna, geography, culture and religion. One guide said, "I learned to become an ambassador for my country". For many of the trainees, learning about Nepal's history and rich cultural heritage is revolutionary. EWN's trekking curriculum cultivates a deeper respect for natural resources, through ecological awareness and conservation techniques. They learn about water sanitation, crop rotation, compost, waste management and alternative fuel sources to fire wood to help curb deforestation. Trainees encourage their clients to follow ecologically sound practices. For example rather than littering the Himalayas with plastic mineral water bottles, the trainees promote iodine purification methods. They even knit practical water bottle holders to raise money for the project and encourage clients to carry water. "Leave no trace" camping practices, respect for nature, preservation of culture and ecological conservation are also taught in these training programs. Many women take these skills back to their own villages and put into practice their new found knowledge. The women even teach their ecological skills to the tea houses along the trail. The safe cooking techniques and waste management practices, such as organic compost, help to improve the local economy and make the trekking industry sustainable. The most radical learning for these women takes place out of the classroom. The trainees, many from remote and isolated areas of Nepal, have never had contact with westerners or Nepalese from other ethnic groups. As the girls hike together through the Himalayas, a rich cultural exchange occurs. Each girl learns from another, sharing equally, regardless of caste or creed. All castes (high and low) sit at the same table and drink from the same cups. A deep bond occurs between the women. They find a strong support base as they strive to become guides and independent women.
These ‘empowered’ women will be pioneers in the field of Female Trek Guides and will become role models for future generations of Nepali women.  The program needs your support. Please Contact Us for more information about our projects.
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