Help Young Women Break the Glass Ceiling in Nepal!

The “Young Women's Leadership Institute (YWLI)” is an expansion project by Women LEAD Nepal, which took place in Waling, Syangja, from May 28th to June 1st, 2023. The project aimed to empower young women aged 18-22 by providing them with essential soft skills such as leadership, public speaking, teamwork, active listening, and time management. Additionally, it sought to raise awareness among participants about gender stereotypes, privileges, biases, gender-based violence (GBV),  consent, and youth issues, encouraging them to become agents of change in their communities.

During the five-day-long outreach program in Waling, Syangja, Province 4, our six alumni, who have benefited from Women LEAD's programs and one Women LEAD's staff, stepped up as session facilitators. The program had 33 direct beneficiaries, primarily from indigenous backgrounds, who were the main participants. Additionally, a few teachers and approximately nine staff members from Kanung Cooperatives attended some of the sessions. This brought the total number of indirect beneficiaries to 16 individuals. The program impacted the direct participants and provided valuable learning and growth opportunities for the six facilitators. During the sessions, our alumni shared their experiences, knowledge, and insights with the participants as inspiring role models. This engagement enriched the program and demonstrated the ripple effect of our investment in these young women. The involvement of our alumni in the outreach program exemplifies our commitment to their growth and development. Through various programs, including outreach and expansion initiatives, we create valuable opportunities and a supportive environment for our alumni to continue honing their leadership skills and expanding their capacity.

Overall, this program achieved its objectives of empowering young women, providing them with skills, and making them aware of societal issues. The success of our recent outreach program was largely due to the crucial involvement of our alumni. Their presence served as a testament to the ongoing dedication and impact of Women LEAD's mission, devoted to nurturing and empowering an ever-growing number of determined young girls, currently numbering 450 and counting. They can apply the skills learned in addressing the issues discussed. Many participants felt empowered after attending this program and committed to raising their voices against wrong actions and expressing their opinions.

In essence, our alumni's involvement in the outreach program illustrates how Women LEAD remains committed to nurturing the leadership potential of young women not only during their time in the program but throughout their lives. We believe in the transformative power of education, mentorship, and community, and our alumni are living proof of the positive change that can be achieved when young women are empowered to lead and inspire others.

Stay tuned to hear more from our Alumni!

Links:

• Check out Women LEAD's website!

Women LEAD acknowledges the stratification existing in a society that hinders young women from reaching their true potential as a leader. With an approach to becoming locally accountable and sustainable, Women LEAD plans to have its footprints in five provinces of Nepal through outreach and expansion efforts. Thus, to bring our programs to all women, Women LEAD has started a series of outreach programs in provinces 2 and 4. The first outreach, "Young Women’s Leadership Institute," was successfully conducted in Province 4, Waling Municipality of Syangja district, in December 2021. The program consisted of 34 participants from grade 12 and undergraduate studies.

As Women LEAD invests in and makes a life-long commitment to its 400+ member alumni community of passionate and ambitious girls to help develop their identity & self-esteem and enable them to make important life decisions while accompanying them in their leadership journey. We engage our alumni in various programs, such as outreach/expansion programs,  to foster their leadership and capacity building by providing opportunities and space for them to lead. 

Recently, we conducted a week-long outreach program in Sarlahi, Province 2, where 14 Women LEAD alumni joined the programs team as session facilitators. Alumni engaged actively in not just program delivery but also interacted with the participants and provided feedback and suggestions during de-briefs to help make the program even better. The week-long outreach program, Youth for Youth Leadership, targeted adolescent boys and girls in grades 8 and 9. 

Our alumni have been pivotal during the implementation of our programs as they “pay it forward” by applying the knowledge and skills they gained during the flagship leadership courses to empower other girls and boys and create change. We envision that by putting young women and girls at the center of our program, community members will be able to challenge their traditional views about women’s and girls’ roles and leadership. Through our alumni community, we’re building a movement of young feminists, with one of the values being “women support and uplift other women” and using one’s privilege to enhance other’s lives. We believe that in the long-run, this growing community will become a powerful network that will drive unprecedented change and transformation in Nepal. 

Stay tuned to hear more from our alumni!