Seven Women

Nepal is a patriarchal society where women are seen as 2nd class citizens. For women from disadvantaged backgrounds, this challenge is an everyday struggle.

In 2006, Stephanie Woollard began Seven Women after meeting seven disabled women working in a tin shed in Kathmandu. These seven women were struggling to make a living in the face of harsh discrimination. With her last $200, Stephanie paid for trainers to teach the women how to produce products to sale locally and abroad – and Seven Women was born.

For the last 12 years, over 5,000 women in Nepal have been educated, trained and employed by Seven Women, providing the tools to lift themselves out of poverty.

Visit the Seven Women HQ in Kathmandu to learn about their stories and how this social enterprise has made a difference in Nepal through its literacy classes, skills training, and income generation programmes.

Attend a cooking class and have the experience to learn traditional cooking techniques whilst supporting the hospitality training of Seven Women. If cooking is not your thing, enroll in a Crafts Class to learn how to create Nepalese crafts and witness the importance of Fair Trade firsthand.

These activities foster cross-cultural exchanges and opportunities for visitors to learn about social enterprise, some of the deeper issues in Nepal and gain real, authentic local experiences.

Cooking Class: The tour starts at the local greenhouse, learning about seasonal produce and greenhouse farming. Once familiar with local ingredients, you’ll be cooking some traditional Nepalese recipes that have been passed throughout generations of local women. After the guided recipe preparation, you’ll learn to cook few delicious dishes, finishing the experience by enjoying the meal together.