Women leaders in business, legal and human rights fields shared their experiences on the challenges Nepali women face at a discussion session organised by Nari, the women’s monthly magazine of Kantipur Media Group, in Kathmandu on Wednesday.

The four-part session, ‘Nirvik Nari’ (fearless women), was organised to celebrate women and to discuss the challenges faced by Nepali women.

Presenting the keynote speech, women rights activist Bandana Rana said that in order to turn the notion of fearless women into reality, everyone should work in solidarity and responsibly regarding women’s issues from home, society and government level.

Rana, who is also a member of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women under the United Nations Human Rights Commission, said that women are still forced to fight for justice despite progressive law in place.

“No matter how many laws are formulated, women victimisation has not decreased,” said Rana. “The lack of proper implementation of laws is the reason behind the additional stress on women who have been victimised.”

Women entrepreneurs said they are capable of competing in the world market if the authorities, including the government, support them.

Shubhangi Rana, one of the founders of social business Pad2Go, a sanitary pad vending machine distributor, said that menstruation should not be considered only as a women's issue.

Nikita Acharya, the founder of Urban Girl, stressed the need for the government to formulate programmes and policies besides encouraging entrepreneurs.

Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Arjun Pokharel said that the government is always ready to create an environment for women entrepreneurs to grow in the business sector.

Latika Golyan, founder of Made In Nepal, said women entrepreneurs in Nepal still lack a market for their products and that rural women need skill development training.

“Various programmes under the public-private partnership could help in developing the skills,” said Golyan. “The government should also help in increasing the quality of products from rural areas and empower women entrepreneurs.”

Similarly, the survivors of various forms of gender violence demanded the provision of strict punishment to perpetrators.

Pabitra Karki, an acid attack survivor, said that there should be strict punishment for perpetrators of acid attack. "We want the attackers to experience the same pain that we have experienced."

Ujjwal Bikram Thapa, an activist and social worker, said that acid attacks should not be seen only as gender-based violence. "Acid attack is a heinous crime and people of every gender, community and class have been its victims," Thapa said.

Thapa urged the government and the concerned authorities to strictly regulate the sale and distribution of acid.

Madhav Paudel, chairman of Nepal Law Commission, said that laws have been made to punish the perpetrators of acid attacks and other violence and some provisions will be amended with time. "Not the laws, but their implementation aspect has been weak in Nepal," Paudel said.

Activist Muna Nepali Damai, who herself is a survivor of domestic and sexual violence, said that the government should protect and support all the victims.

Former chief justice Sushila Karki and director of Prashuti Griha Dr Sangita Mishra also shared the struggles they have faced as women in their respective professions.

“There were attempts to bar me from becoming a chief justice,” said Karki. “There were men who put me in difficulties and there were men who helped me as well.”

Karki also said that political leaders try to dictate the judiciary. “Our leaders consider justices as their private pockets.”

The event was organised in partnership with Ncell.

“As part of our endeavour to celebrate women achievers, Ncell is delighted to collaborate with Kantipur Media Group for ‘Nirvik Nari’ women conference,” said Andy Chong, CEO of Ncell. “Ncell recognises and celebrates those women who have broken glass ceilings and have paved paths for other women to make impactful differences within our society and become change-makers.”