On Wednesday, the fifth edition of Nirvik Nari, the Kantipur Media Group’s flagship event for women, happened in Kathmandu. It was centred around the overarching theme of ‘Women’s Power and Leadership’.

The event aims to celebrate women’s achievements, challenge gender-based barriers, and promote leadership across various sectors. Speakers from politics, diplomacy, business, media, activism, and youth communities participated in engaging panel discussions.

The programme was divided into four sessions—‘Glass ceiling: Invisible Barriers’, ‘The Voice of Teens’, ‘Nepal Through the Eyes of Diplomats’, and ‘My Body, My Choice’.

Delivering the keynote speech, Lily Thapa, commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission, said, “From the Lichhavi era to the present, women have been at the heart of every social transformation. While they have access to many resources, they still lack control. Women propel society forward and play a vital role in preserving culture and identity.”

She called for recognition of the countless unsung women who have been breaking barriers. Even if no one acknowledges their efforts, she urged women to document their contributions, take pride in them, and celebrate their achievements.

After the keynote speech, the event moved forward with its first panel discussion, ‘Glass Ceiling: Invisible Barriers’. Moderated by Laxmi Bhandari from Nari magazine, the panellists were Ram Kumari Jhakri (former minister of Urban Development of Nepal), Dawa Futi Sherpa (former ambassador of Nepal to Spain), Rojina Raut (head of training and development and Devyani International Pvt Ltd (KFC and Pizza Hut Nepal)) and Roshani Poudyal (advocate and assistant professor of Law at Tribhuvan University).

The second panel, titled ‘The Voice of Teens,’ featured four panellists: Skanda Swar (founder of Dhumbarahi Children’s Library), Reeti Maharjan (Grade 11 student of United Academy), Silviya Sinjali Magar (Grade 11 student at Kathmandu World School), and Afroja Nasim (Student of Vishwa Niketan Secondary School). Suman Shakya (entrepreneur, consultant, certified trainer) moderated the session.

Speaking during the session, Magar stressed that young people possess powerful voices and do not need to wait until adulthood to initiate change. “Young people have voices too. They do not have to wait to grow up to make a difference,” she said.

Swar shared the inspiration behind founding the Dhumbarahi Children’s Library, which emerged from conversations with students who described libraries as boring. “That inspired me to start something that is fun and cultivates reading habits in children,” she said. Operating for nearly a year, the library now attracts 30 to 40 children every Saturday. It offers a mix of book exchanges, reading sessions, games, and extracurricular activities such as speech competitions.

Maharjan, who balances studying science with extracurriculars such as music, writing, and public speaking, addressed her common critique about not focusing solely on academics. “Some people ask me why I’m not focusing on science, but I feel like I can do both,” she said.

As the discussion turned to education, Nasim pointed out that schools often prioritise exam scores over skills. The panellists collectively critiqued the current education system in Nepal and argued that it remains overly focused on rote memorisation. They advocated a shift toward research-based and practical learning that encourages creativity, critical thinking, and holistic development.

The third session, ‘Nepal Through the Eyes of Diplomats,’ included Leann Johnston (Australian ambassador to Nepal), Patricia Fernandez Pacheco (country representative for Nepal at UN Women), and Veronique Lorenzo (EU ambassador to Nepal). Shrinkhala Khatiwada, managing director of Vedanta Herbals, moderated the discussion.

The fourth and final session of the event was titled ‘My Body, My Choice’. Speakers were Hima Bista (executive director of Women Lead Nepal), Shrida RL Shah (brand manager at Jawalakhel Group of Industries), Ishtu Karkee (artist) and Anmol Rani Rai (Miss Trans Nepal 2024). The session was moderated by Parakram SJB Rana, a Nepali digital content creator and LGBTQ+ advocate.