Gender Equality Nepal Project #38083

Help Young Women Break the Glass Ceiling in Nepal!

by Women LEAD

Project Report | Sep 9, 2024
Fostering Future Leaders: Empowering Young Women

By Priyanka Basnet | Development and Fundraising Coordinator

The Young Women’s Leadership Program (YWLP) is an expansion project of Women LEAD Nepal. This year’s YWLP took place from May 26th to May 30th, 2024. There were 30 participants, aged between 17 and 21, including graduates and students in their first, second, and third year of Bachelor studies. The participants came from diverse backgrounds, with the majority belonging to the indigenous community (Gurung, Thapa, Magar). The program included sessions covering topics such as teamwork, leadership, followership, gender stereotypes, public speaking, gender-based violence, consent, and civic engagement.

The emphasis on teamwork was particularly significant, as it highlighted the strength of collective action in achieving common goals. Through interactive activities like the Human Knot Challenge, group discussions, and role-playing exercises, participants gained valuable hands-on experience in collaboration and advocacy. The program underscored the importance of women’s participation in leadership, challenging societal norms that often restrict their potential.

Women LEAD Nepal has been running an outreach program to emphasize the importance of women's full participation in creating harmonious and inclusive societies. This project was launched to bring about transformative change in communities outside the Kathmandu Valley. In Nepal, discriminatory laws, weak institutions, and dominating attitudes often hinder
women's full participation in public life, limiting their potential as leaders and perpetuating societal inequalities.

Women LEAD recognizes that empowerment is an ongoing journey, one that requires sustained support and growth. With a strong alumni network of over 499 members, we offer young women the continuous guidance they need to flourish. Through our carefully designed programs, we focus on strengthening their sense of identity, boosting self-esteem, and enhancing decision-making skills, ensuring they are well-equipped to excel as leaders.

The success of our latest outreach initiative was significantly enhanced by the critical involvement of our alumni. Drawing on their own leadership training, they served as resource persons, mentors, and guides to the current participants, fostering a supportive learning environment and creating a lasting impact. By having these alumni "pay it forward," the program cultivates a ripple effect, positioning young women and girls at the forefront of leadership and challenging traditional gender roles, inspiring a future where leadership is genuinely inclusive.

Stay tuned to hear more about our amazing leaders!

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May 9, 2024
Women LEAD: Cultivating Young Women Leaders Across Nepal

By Priyanka Basnet | Development and Fundraising Coordinator

Young Women's Leadership Program (YWLP); Sarlahi

Young women in Nepal face numerous challenges on their path to leadership. Societal expectations and limited opportunities can hinder their potential. Women LEAD is working tirelessly to dismantle these barriers and empower young women across the country. Our vision is to see young women from all provinces of Nepal thriving as leaders. Women LEAD's commitment to local accountability and sustainability is evident in our strategic outreach and expansion efforts. We actively engage our alumni in program development and leadership opportunities. Recently, alumni served as session facilitators in outreach programs across Sarlahi (Madhesh Province ) and Lamjung (Gandaki Province). Their involvement went beyond delivery; they actively interacted with participants and provided valuable feedback during debriefs, contributing to the program's continuous improvement.

The Young Women's Leadership Program (YWLP): Held in January 2024, in the Madhesh Province, Sarlahi district this program equipped 30 young women (aged 15-23) with essential skills for success. Participants honed their leadership, communication, and public speaking abilities, while also gaining valuable knowledge on gender equality and career development.
Y4Y and YWLP Programs: April 2024 saw Women LEAD host two concurrent programs. The Youth for Youth Leadership (Y4Y) Program empowered 26 girls (aged 12-15) in Shree Sanskriti Sadan Secondary School, Duradanda, Lamjung. This program focused on building teamwork, leadership, and time management skills – a strong foundation for future leadership roles. Simultaneously, another Young Women’s Leadership Program (YWLP) in Shree Sarbodaya Higher Secondary School,Duradanda, Lamjung addressed a wider range of topics for 24 young women (aged 14-24). They explored critical issues like gender stereotypes, human rights, and goal setting. By tackling concerns like gender-based violence and child rights, Women LEAD equips young women to become vocal advocates for themselves and their communities.

Women LEAD understands that empowerment is a continuous journey. Our robust alumni network, boasting over 455 members, provides young women with ongoing support. Through programs designed to strengthen identity, self-esteem, and decision-making skills, we equip our alumni to thrive as leaders. These empowered young women are actively involved in outreach and expansion initiatives, creating a ripple effect of leadership development.

Empowering the next generation of leaders is at the heart of our mission. Alumni from our flagship leadership courses play a vital role by "paying it forward." Equipped with the skills and knowledge they gained, they return to our programs to mentor both girls and boys. This creates a powerful ripple effect. By placing young women and girls at the forefront, we challenge traditional views within communities and inspire a future where leadership has no gender.

Stay tuned for more inspiring stories from Women LEAD's incredible alumni!

Y4Y; Duradanda , Lamjung

Women LEAD staffs & interns at Lamjung Outreach

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Jan 11, 2024
Women LEAD Nepal's Annual General Meeting 2023 Recap

By Priyanka Basnet | Development and Fundraising Coordinator

General Members and audience during the AGM

Our Alumni have been one of the key decision-makers in Women LEAD Nepal. The Board members are also alumni, and they are elected every two years by the general members who hold us accountable, fulfill regulatory responsibilities, and set the direction for the growth of our organization. Board members ensure their roles, from approving budgets to developing strategies to sitting on hiring panels. They make significant decisions to empower young women and incorporate their voices and ideas.

Women LEAD hosts the Annual General Meeting (AGM) annually, which is joined by alumni general members. On Saturday, October 2023, our Nepal Board conducted the Annual General Meeting. The Board presented the general members with the organization's finances, budget planning, and upcoming programs to be done by Women LEAD Nepal. The program started with the opening remarks by the Nepal Board President. This event is a reunion for our alumni to share their work, study, interests, and passions, which is a great platform for networking. The positions for the election are Chairperson, Vice-chairperson, Secretary, Vice Secretary, Treasurer, and two Board members. They held a debate between candidates, which was actively engaging and inspiring with critical discussion. Bench officers of the Election Commission and the WLiT staff team led the election. The voting process was facilitated by Women Lead staff and interns. General Members (alumni), Board Members (alumni), and Women LEAD Nepal Staff attended this year's annual general meeting. All the General members followed the voting process and elected new Board Members to lead the organization for the next two years. They play vital roles in contributing to the organization's success, vision, and impact.

We work towards a Nepal where the voices of women and girls are powerful and influential, and women occupy leadership and decision-making positions. The candidates and voters, hailing from diverse backgrounds and cultures, shared profound insights, experiences, and visions for a brighter future for WLEAD. Each participant showcased outstanding qualities, and the voting process served as the compass determining their positions on the Board.

As we embark on this new chapter, stay tuned for updates on the impressive leadership skills and accomplishments of our dynamic new Board members!

some fun as everyone waits in line for voting

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