Early morning at Thapathali’s Bluebird Mall courtyard proved to be a rather populated affair this Saturday. A substantial of individuals from various sectors and age groups: bankers, managers from the Capital’s numerous corporate houses, college students, actors and other members of the Nepali film industry as well as civil society members, had all gathered together at the venue to participate in a walkathon. The event, part of Tewa Nepal’s fund raising campaign, was a ‘walkathon and volunteer award programme’, and featured actors Rajesh Hamal and Priyanka Karki as chief guests.

Tewa Nepal, a foundation that has been working to empower women in the country for almost two decades, has been stressing on women’s self-reliance for a long time now. On March 1, all the participants of the walkathon event expressed solidarity with Tewa’s goals, and walked from Thapatahli to Tewa’s premises in Dhapakhel via the Kupondole-Mangal Bazar-Lagankhel-Satdobato route holding plaque cards with slogans condemning violence against women and supporting women’s empowerment. The walkathon itself was accompanied by a live Newari instrumental group.

The day’s proceedings began at the Bluebird Mall courtyard once chief guests Hamal and Karki had formally inaugurated the event. Nirmala KC, president of Tewa Nepal, took the opportunity to talk about the organisation as well as its future goals and ambitions. “Tewa has been working for 19 years in the field of women empowerment, fighting for equality, justice and peace,” she said. “Our main aim 

has always been the empowerment of women from rural parts of Nepal, and we remain dedicated 

to our efforts.”

Till date, Tewa has supported 370 women’s organisations from 65 districts of Nepal with funds that amount to more than 21 million rupees. Saturday’s event was part of the endeavour to support the foundation’s cause. Srijana Pun an activist affiliated with Women Forum Nepal, an NGO, shed light on the conditions women working in Nepal’s numerous ‘entertainment ventures’—dance bars and dohori restaurants, among others—as she addressed the group that had gathered together at Thapathali. “The violence women working in these entertainment ventures face on an everyday basis is deplorable,” she said. “These women are looked down upon by society and often have a hard time finding rooms to lodge in the Capital. We need to help these women live dignified lives. It is up to us all to change society’s perception,” she added.

Once the walkathon group had reached the Tewa premises in Dhapakhel, the volunteer awards were handed over. The foundation’s Amir Thapa Award went to Sumita Rai, while the Birendra Shrestha Award was given to Soniya Rai. Similarly, Ranu Bhattarai received the Master Aadhya Prasad Pradhan Award. All three awards were given in memory of Tewa members and friends. The Tewa Outstanding Award went to Nirmala Gurung.