The second edition of the annual panel discussion, Celebrating Unconventional Women: Redefining Success, was held at Naxal, Kathmandu. The panel comprised personalities from various walks of life—namely, Amudha Mishra, founder  and executive director of Ujyalo Foundation; Sarita Thulang, wheelchair dancer and basketball player; Bhumika Shrestha, transgender rights activist; Nima Garti Magar, gold medalist at 12th SAG; and Paramita Rana, actress and model—who came together to discuss issues concerning women and of breaking barriers.

The discussion was organised by Hausala Creatives, a sister project of Children and Youth First, an NGO working towards ensuring the rights of children and youths. Started by two sisters Hausala and Samanata Thapa, the project aims to empower women by providing livelihood trainings, such as knitting and stitching. 

Speaking to the Post, co-founder of the project, Samanata Thapa, said, “We started Hausala as a way to encourage and empower women so that they can lead an independent life. Working on this project we realised that it was important to bring to the fore stories of successful women, so as to inspire others.” Thapa added, “We also wanted to redefine what success is. More often than not, we associate success with just money, fame and power, but success can be more than just that and that it varies from person to person. The motive of this panel discussion is to share among public the stories of women from different walks of life and what success means to them.” 

Sharing her story and her definition of success, one of the panelists, Amudha Mishra, said: “We women and our success is often undermined by the society. We have to try ten times harder than men to get to the same position, and even when we do something worthy, we are not as appreciated as men.” 

She added, “We still hold this notion that a successful woman is one who has conquered the world or has done something really big, but this is not true at all. Success is different for everyone and no one person’s success can be compared to others. So, I think everyone, especially women, should celebrate themselves and their works regardless of what others say.” Other speakers at the event echoed Mishra’s thoughts. 

The event also had stalls featuring handicrafts, food, tattoo, all run exclusively by women.