
Babita Jha lives in Ekdara village in Mahottari district, deeply involved in community development work particularly under MORAL values project supported by NIRN Nepal and World Vision International Nepal. Babita comes from the Brahmin family (Hindu Religious group) in Madhesh. Her upbringing provided her with a thorough understanding of both community support and religious teachings.
Babita has seen that some traditional practices in her community. Even though she grew up with these customs, she came to realize that these practices find no basis in any religious text. This encouraged her into a leadership role as the secretary of the Women’s Inter-religious Network, from where she could advocate strongly against Harmful Traditional Practices like Child marriage and Dowry practices.
The turning point in Babita’s journey came with her participation in Empower World Views (EWV) training. During this training, she explored the idea that humanity is part of a divine plan, which inspired her to take responsibility for uplifting the most marginalized members of her community. With this new perspective, she started making changes in her village. Her journey from secretary in the women Interfaith Committee to an activist for social welfare exemplifies the transformative power of individual commitment and action. Her efforts have not only brought communities together but have also contributed to positive social change, demonstrating the importance of grassroots activism in building a more inclusive and compassionate society
Today, Babita’s actions are making tangible difference on her community. Using the principles of EWV: compassion, justice, and solidarity, she prevented four instances of child marriage and six cases of violence against women. Her efforts has not only empowered oppressed women but also leading to a profound transformation in her own beliefs and attitudes towards other religions.
Most importantly, EWV has served as a source of empowerment for Babita, enabling her to move beyond fatalism and dependence on external aid. It equiped her with the tools to challenge harmful traditional practices and advocate for the rights of all individuals, regardless of their background or beliefs.
To date, EWV has provided basic level training to 77 male and 28 female faith leaders and community leaders. And among them 9 male and 8 female have benefiting from its Master ToT (Training of the Trainer) level program. These individuals, like Babita, are empowered to make positive changes within their communities, resulting in tangible improvements in the lives of many individuals.
Babita’s story stands as a testament to the transformative power of empowerment and interfaith collaboration. Through her tireless efforts, she embodies the principles of compassion, justice, and solidarity, paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future for everyone. As she continues her journey, she remains committed to ending social evils and expresses sincere gratitude to NIRN Nepal and World Vision International Nepal for guiding her on this new path.


