Women of Kumaon: Rising Beyond the Hills

Walk through the winding trails of Kumaon, and you’ll find women at the heart of every home, farm, and forest. They carry heavy loads of grass and firewood on their backs, manage cattle, grow vegetables, and still greet you with a warm smile. Yet behind this grit and grace lie stories of silent struggles.

Image from : https://www.uttarakhandi.com/kumaoni-culture/

In many villages across our beautiful Kumaon, women still face barriers – limited education, lack of financial independence, health issues, and social norms that keep them from stepping out. Many girls drop out of school early. Few know about their legal rights. And most bear the weight of unpaid work without recognition or support.

The Scope for Change

But there’s immense hope. Women here are resilient and eager to learn. They already drive small businesses – making pickles, knitting sweaters, running homestays. With the right knowledge, skills, and confidence, they can transform their families and communities.

Government schemes like NRLM (self-help groups), Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and various skill development missions offer financial aid, training, and support. Yet often, women don’t even know these schemes exist, or how to access them.

How Siddhatva Steps In

At Siddhatva Skill Works, we’re deeply committed to nurturing women leaders in these hills. Here’s how we’re making a difference:

• Legal Literacy Camps: So women understand their rights – on property, domestic violence, maintenance, or inheritance – and can stand up for themselves.

• Skill-building & Hospitality Training: Helping local women run homestays with confidence, turning them into graceful hosts who earn with dignity.

• Leadership Circles: Where women gather, share stories, learn, and grow together.

• Climate-smart workshops: Teaching eco-friendly practices so they become champions of sustainability at home and in their villages.

The Way Forward

Empowering women isn’t charity. It’s the smartest investment we can make for Kumaon’s future. An educated, skilled, and confident woman uplifts her entire family. She ensures her children study, manages finances better, and builds a healthier, more aware community.

If you’re reading this, perhaps you can be part of this journey too. Whether by volunteering, sponsoring a workshop, or simply spreading the word – every small effort helps a woman rise.