Empowering Youth Through Skills, Confidence and Community

At just 22, Pabitra Chaudhary is already showing what’s possible when young women are given the opportunity to lead their own future.

Growing up in Tikapur, in Nepal’s far west, Pabitra faced enormous challenges from an early age. When her father passed away, she was only eight years old. The loss left her family devastated — both emotionally and financially. Her mother’s health began to decline, and her older brother’s income from driving a tractor and labouring was often lost to alcohol. Pabitra had no choice but to leave school in Grade 11 to help at home.

Despite these setbacks, she remained determined. In the evenings, she quietly pursued sewing lessons with a neighbour in her community. She dreamed of becoming a tailor and starting her own business — but with limited income and no startup capital, the road ahead seemed impossible.

Everything began to change when Pabitra joined the Janachetna Youth Network, supported by INF’s local partner WACT through the Improving Child and Adolescent Wellbeing project.

This network brought her into a community of peers, mentors and supporters who saw her potential. She began to take part in group meetings, gained confidence, and completed nine months of formal sewing training. With support and encouragement, she was able to start earning an income from home — enough to contribute to her household, support her mother’s treatment, and even begin saving to reopen her education.

Today, Pabitra is more than just a tailor. She’s a young leader and advocate for child well-being in her municipality, using her voice to help shape a better future for others in her community.

Her story reflects the quiet strength of so many young women in Nepal — resilient, resourceful, and ready to rise when given the opportunity.

At INF, we believe empowerment isn’t just about programs or training. It’s about recognising the dignity and potential in every person — and walking alongside them as they grow.