Ujyalo Foundation, in partnership with Panchkhal Municipality and Helvetas Nepal, organised the ‘EmpowHER 2024’: One-Day Feminist Conference (OFC) and Graduation Ceremony on Tuesday. Held in Panchkhal Municipality Hall, Kavrepalanchowk, this event celebrated the achievements of young women changemakers, fostered discussions on systemic challenges, and strengthened alliances for transformative change.

Since its inception in 2014, the Ujyalo Foundation has launched feminist movements in Nepal, empowering girls, women, and nonbinary individuals through programmes like EmpowHER, EmpowHER Junior, and the Women’s Leadership Fellowship. The EmpowHER programme has been instrumental in Panchkhal Municipality, engaging 47 young women over the past two years and reaching over 600 community members in 2024 alone.

The annual conference focused on three core objectives: addressing issues like child marriage and gender-based violence, amplifying local voices, and fostering partnerships between grassroots organisations, local governments, and global allies.

The event opened with the plenary, ‘Strengthening Communities through Young Women’s Leadership,’ featuring panellists such as Sarita Dahal, executive director of Loom, Urmila Shrestha, executive director of Tewa, Nirmala Kafle, representing the Panchkhal community and Sukshmi Pant, an EmpowHER 2024 changemaker (participant).

Dahal urged stakeholders to view participants as changemakers, not victims, while Pant emphasised the need for opportunities for young women.

The graduation ceremony honoured the 24 changemakers of 2024. Sabina Danuwar received the Best Changemaker Award and Rs10,000 for her skill-building and education. All participants and mentors were recognised with certificates for their contributions.

The event also had community stalls where local businesses and initiative from Panchkhal Municipality showcased their products. A presentation on the EmpowHer journey in Panchkhal was also given, highlighting the programme’s key milestones and achievements. The event concluded with the final plenary, ‘Creating Opportunities for Young Women: Local Government and Global Partners for Change’.

In the discussion, Deputy Mayor of Panchkhal Municipality Surya Maya Danuwar highlighted the institutionalisation of a Young Women-led Advisory Committee as a pivotal achievement, ensuring sustainable leadership in the community. Badri Manandhar of Helvetas Nepal emphasised the importance of partnerships in addressing systemic inequalities.

The conference ended with the closing remarks by Januka Khatiwada, project coordinator at Ujyalo Foundation, who praised the collective efforts of all participants and partners.