Kanchan Katuwal
“My dream is to delve deeper into my lived experiences and struggles, to read about other Dalit women like myself, to listen to and share their stories, and to write about their struggles.”
Kanchan Katuwal, a Dalit woman from Bhimeshwor-7, Dolakha (currently living in Kurintar, Chitwan), is a sub-engineer working on the Maleku–Muglin section of the Prithvi Highway. She holds a Diploma in Civil Engineering and a Bachelor’s degree in Management. From an early age, Kanchan encountered caste-based discrimination—classmates and teachers would avoid eating food she touched and make her sit separately, especially after learning her name. These experiences, rather than silencing her, fueled her resolve. The inferiority complex society tried to impose only made her stronger.
Proud of her Dalit identity, Kanchan believes in becoming the voice for her community. Through songs, she expresses the pain of untouchability and the questions she has carried since childhood. Her participation in
Kanchan is joining the Just Futures Fellowship to tell her story, listen to others, and collectively build a journey of change. She wants to further improve her skills in writing, digital documentation, video editing, and podcasting while empowering others with the same tools. Her vision is to show that Dalit women, too, can lead, create, and transform society—and she is committed to being a living example of that possibility.
“My dream is to delve deeper into my lived experiences and struggles, to read about other Dalit women like myself, to listen to and share their stories, and to write about their struggles.”
Kanchan Katuwal, a Dalit woman from Bhimeshwor-7, Dolakha (currently living in Kurintar, Chitwan), is a sub-engineer working on the Maleku–Muglin section of the Prithvi Highway. She holds a Diploma in Civil Engineering and a Bachelor’s degree in Management. From an early age, Kanchan encountered caste-based discrimination—classmates and teachers would avoid eating food she touched and make her sit separately, especially after learning her name. These experiences, rather than silencing her, fueled her resolve. The inferiority complex society tried to impose only made her stronger.
Proud of her Dalit identity, Kanchan believes in becoming the voice for her community. Through songs, she expresses the pain of untouchability and the questions she has carried since childhood. Her participation in The Asia Foundation’s SNGP fellowship strengthened her engagement with issues of caste and representation. Influenced by writings such as Ganatantra by Subash Darnal and interviews of Sarita Pariyar, she finds deep resonance with their thoughts and advocacy.
Kanchan is joining the Just Futures Fellowship to tell her story, listen to others, and collectively build a journey of change. She wants to further improve her skills in writing, digital documentation, video editing, and podcasting while empowering others with the same tools. Her vision is to show that Dalit women, too, can lead, create, and transform society—and she is committed to being a living example of that possibility.