On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day on Tuesday, nine Nepali writers—Tara Rai, Laxmi Mali, Sanu Chaudhary, Anbika Giri, Pancha Kumari Pariyar, Seema Avas, Shobha Dulal, Shakuntala Joshi, and Manisha Gauchan met the British Ambassador to Nepal Nicola Pollitt at her residence in an interaction programme organised by British Embassy Kathmandu and coordinated by Shangri-La Books.

“Writing is what I will put first. I will keep writing even if people think I don’t know how to write. I will write about women like me whose experiences are marginalised in the mainstream media, even by Nepali women writers themselves. Because writing demands change,” said Tara Rai, who served as a former Maoist combatant during the country’s Maoist insurgency and is the author of ‘Chhapamar Yuwatiko Diary’, which recounts her journey as a guerilla fighter.

During the interaction programme, the writers shared what it is like to work in a patriarchal society with the British ambassador. According to Shangri-La Books, the interaction programme was arranged to engage Nepali writers with foreign envoys to Nepal and discuss the writing journeys of the women writers. To make the programme more inclusive, Shangri-La Books also ensured the participation of writers from outside of the Valley.

“Women writers rarely get an opportunity to meet each other and share their experiences with each other. And on occasions when they get to do so, writers from outside the Valley are often left out of such conversations. This programme is an endeavour that we are starting to bring women writers together to talk about their experiences and their challenges,” said Anbika Giri, editor and writer at Shangri-La Books.

During the discussion, women writers shared why they think it is important for them to write about women and how their writing has made a difference in their lives.

“I think the issues that women writers bring with their writings also encourage many women to contest their limitations enforced by patriarchal norms. It allows people to see women outside of the social stereotypes that have defined us for so long,” said poet and writer Seema Avas. “This meeting has been a wonderful experience. Meeting fellow writers who have written about women so powerfully feels invigorating. We need to organise more such programmes.”

The writers also discussed the dearth of published women writers and how publications are still inaccessible for women writers.

“It’s inspiring to listen to the reasons why you are writing. Your commitment to writing is important to bring the awareness we need in society. All of your works, which are driven by your experiences and experiences of the women around you, have helped bring the necessary awareness we need,” said Pollitt, addressing the women writers.

“I hope all of you continue writing to put issues forward. With the world more connected than ever with technology, you have more opportunities to put your writing out there and raise issues that you think are important,” she added.