In today’s business world, traditional approaches are no longer sufficient. Simply spending money to gain popularity or sticking to outdated ideas does not lead to success. It is now well established that running a business goes far beyond just production and sales. Modern entrepreneurs, including women, must possess multifaceted skills to succeed in a globally connected marketplace. Relying solely on traditional businesses is a recipe for failure.
In this global era, even local businesses must adapt to international standards. Quality and pricing have become major factors for competitiveness. Entrepreneurs must align their products with customer expectations and international market norms. Today’s consumer behavior is driven by social, environmental, and ethical considerations. Customers now prefer products that are sustainable, socially responsible, and benefit disadvantaged communities. Profit is no longer the sole measure of business success—impact matters too.
In Nepal, there has been a growing movement toward clean and ethical business practices for nearly two decades. Organizations like Manushi have played a leading role in promoting socially responsible entrepreneurship. Manushi has worked tirelessly for the last 33 years to empower underprivileged women by providing them with skills and opportunities for micro-entrepreneurship. They’ve helped women launch market-ready products and supported over a thousand women in generating income using their newfound abilities.
Manushi not only offers training to unskilled women but also helps market their products, aiming to make them self-reliant entrepreneurs. This initiative is based on local resources and is focused on creating sustainable livelihoods, especially in rural areas. Through microfinance programs, women are given small loans to start or expand businesses. Over 35,000 women have already benefited from this program, receiving support in agriculture, small businesses, and other professional fields.
The organization’s reach spans several districts including Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Sindhupalchok, Dolakha, Ramechhap, Dhading, Nuwakot, Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Makwanpur, and Parsa. Manushi has successfully connected local handicrafts with international markets, exporting to Europe, the USA, Japan, and Korea. Their products—ranging from felt items and metal crafts to hard wax goods, bedsheets, and natural dyes—have earned global recognition. Manushi was even awarded “Best Exporter of Lalitpur.”
The organization’s resilience was particularly evident during economic downturns and the post-COVID-19 era. They actively worked to reduce the impact of economic hardships and gender-based violence, continuing to support women entrepreneurs even amidst challenging circumstances. With increasing youth emigration and economic pressure, the role of women entrepreneurs in Nepal’s development has never been more crucial.
To further these efforts, Manushi and the Lalitpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry have identified several programs for collaboration:
- Capacity Building for Women Entrepreneurs
- Business Management Training
- Includes courses on accounting, legal literacy, tax orientation, financial literacy, and costing.
- Digital Marketing
- Offers training in digital literacy, photography, graphic design, and content creation.
- Market Promotion
- Encourages participation in national and international fairs, exhibitions, and product launches while conducting thorough market research.
To implement these initiatives, coordination with local governments and resource mobilization is essential. Both public and private sector involvement is crucial. Some key areas for government collaboration include:
- Research and Development (R&D) for product diversification.
- Resource Mapping to identify and use local raw materials effectively.
- Government support for women-led enterprises, including facilitating export procedures from the start.
- International Market Promotion strategies to enhance global visibility and participation.
- Standards and Certification to ensure that Nepali products meet international quality requirements, which will reduce costs and boost competitiveness.Vocational Education integrated into the school curriculum to address the skilled labor shortage in the production sector.
Humanitarian organizations like Manushi are committed to standing with local entrepreneurs to ensure success. As the 45th General Assembly of the Lalitpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry commences, there is renewed hope and confidence that collective efforts will lead to even greater achievements.
