When hope for underprivileged women blooms into a bigger vision
Over the past two days, it feels as though the stars have aligned for women’s empowerment in the Tirthan Valley, Himachal Pradesh. At Heco, 2023 and 2024 have been transformative years, witnessing the emergence of two inspiring women’s movements – each a story of resilience, ambition, and empowerment.
The first movement revolves around Himalayan Ecocreation, our initiative to empower women by fostering their micro-enterprises. For the first time, we’ve successfully engaged a women’s Self-Help Group in creating local products to generate income. This has been no small feat. In a region where women bear the brunt of household responsibilities – cooking, cleaning, educating children, and managing fields and forests – male-dominated societal norms often resist women stepping into roles for self-development. Yet, the women of Himalayan Ecocreation have triumphed. They now manage every aspect of their business, from collecting apricot kernels to oil extraction, crafting handmade soaps, and packaging.
The second movement is equally groundbreaking. Ten women from an underprivileged section of the local community have taken up work traditionally reserved for men – they have become trekking guides in the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP). Through rigorous training, these women have shattered societal norms and emerged as heroes of a movement that challenges deep-rooted traditions.
On December 23, 2024, we brought these two groups together for the first time at the Himalayan Ecocreation workshop. What began as a celebration of their achievements quickly turned into a spark for something far bigger. Laughter filled the room as the women shared their stories and pride in their accomplishments. The energy was electric, and an idea began to take shape – a vision for a larger, more cohesive social structure that could amplify their collective impact.
As facilitators and catalysts, the Heco team presented possible pathways for this idea. But as the discussions grew deeper, apprehensions surfaced. They spoke of the challenges they face – resistance from peers and a lack of recognition from local authorities. A glaring example is the GHNP administration’s aversion to grant trekking guide cards to our women guides, a privilege routinely extended to others in the ecozone who undergo the same training.
We addressed these concerns head-on, reminding them that being a change-maker is a path of both joy and challenge. Recognition may not come immediately from their own community, but perseverance would bring acknowledgment from beyond their valley, their mountains, and even their country. Together, we affirmed our confidence in their journey.
This encouragement ignited a newfound confidence among the women. A spirited photo session followed, with the women proudly posing in their Himalayan Ecotourism T-shirts and displaying the Himalayan Ecocreation logo – a declaration of their unity and determination to continue their empowerment journey.
To keep this momentum alive, we created a WhatsApp group uniting these incredible women. The first message, sent the following morning by Shreya, in charge of Himalayan Ecocreation, carried extraordinary news:
“Dear friends, this is the first message of our new group, and it’s to announce that we have won an international award! We are the winners of the Regenerative Travel Impact Awards 2024. You are the heart of this achievement, as the awarding organization highlights on their website.”
This recognition serves as a beacon of hope and validation. It underscores a universal truth: when intentions are pure, confidence is high, and the vision for the future is clear, the stars align to make dreams a reality.
This is just the beginning. Together, we are planting the seeds of a movement that promises to grow into a strong, resilient tree – rooted in empowerment and reaching for the stars.
