KAILALI-Four years ago, Arati Chaudhary was a bible teacher going from village to village in Kanchanpur preaching the holy book. But everything changed when she started to get harassed by the security forces. It was then she heard the word about Maoist ideals, which impressed her so much that she left her five brothers, two sisters and parents to join the rebels and became area in charge in Poudan. "I haven't been able to think of my personal life, especially marriage, due to my political life," says Arati, who hails from the Tharu community. Due to their simple ways and restrained nature, the Tharus have always been exploited by high caste Nepalis and eventually many ended up working as bonded labourers. They have now been liberated but still live in extreme difficulties due to the government's lack of concrete plans to reintegrate them into mainstream society. The Maoists dangled big dreams in front of them, easily luring many to join. Today, a large number of female Tharus dominate the Maoist western division command. But none of them have been able to get promoted to senior positions. Still na?ve, they say all the right things about the Prachanda Path, the right to revolution, social change and war. But sadly, Maoist women still play a stereotyped role that includes cooking, chopping fuel wood and ironing clothes. This is contrary to the Maoist leaders' principles about empowering women. Although Arati is an area-in-charge she really only oversees cooking. Arati believes that women are more capable than men even in the rebel force because they have more endurance and better overall abilities. Five years ago, 25-year-old Grisma (pictured above) also joined the rebels to fight for the liberation of women. Living on the battlefield has become normal for her. But she moved all the way from Kailali to Doti after she got tired of some Maoists constantly misbehaving and intimidating the local villagers. Her ultimate aim is to educate her daughter when the conflict ends.