On December 13, 2024, the Inter-Generational Feminist Forum (IGFF) hosted a talk program titled “Anupam Abhiyan for Women’s Leadership and Participation” as part of the 16th Human Rights Magna Meet Event. The event took place at Café Cheeno, IGFF Secretariat, Patan Dhoka, and was attended by 103 participants from diverse groups, including the LGBTQI community, individuals with disabilities, and grassroots activists.
Yajaswi Rai, an IGFF steering Committee member, moderated the program and introduced the participants to the ongoing international human rights celebrations. She highlighted the role of women and marginalized communities in shaping inclusive governance and introduced Tewa, IGFF, and Nagarik Aawaj, emphasizing their collective impact on advancing women’s leadership.
The keynote speaker was Sharu Joshi Shrestha, a distinguished feminist rights activist began her keynote speech by narrating the inception of IGFF in 2017, born out of a realization among feminists about the need for collaboration and unity across diverse intersections. She discussed IGFF’s inclusive Steering Committee and its focus on dignity-driven aid and self-help approaches. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Shrestha raised critical issues about women’s care work, opportunity costs, systemic barriers, and tokenism in politics.
Sharu Shrestha also delved into the Anupam Abhiyan initiative, conceptualized by activist Ms. Rita Thapa with two main objectives. 1) to contribute towards building a just and an equitable society and to empower women politically ensuring their active participation in decision-making roles at all levels of the State. 2) redirect the course of externally-driven development towards one that fosters self-reliance and dignity. This initiative involves district-level self-funded yatras (journeys), empowering women leaders to engage in politics through collaboration with municipalities, local organizations, and other stakeholders. Ms. Shrestha emphasized that inclusive and meaningful participation is vital for transforming women’s representation in leadership and ensuring their voices are heard in policy-making.
During the discussion and Q&A session, participants raised concerns about election costs and resource accessibility, favoritism and nepotism, and policy and representation. Ms. Shrestha emphasized the need for financial literacy and support systems for women in politics, transparency and meritocracy in political candidate selection, and equal representation and mentorship programs for women leaders.
Sharu Shrestha urged women to seek internal validation and work collectively to prepare capable women candidates for future elections.
Laxmi Ghalan expressed her gratitude to Ms. Shrestha for her insightful presentation, the participants’ active involvement, and organizations like Tewa and Nagarik Aawaj for their unwavering support. She encouraged everyone to view women’s rights as fundamental human rights and to consider formal membership with IGFF to strengthen the movement.
The event concluded with refreshments and a photo exhibition titled “Anupam Yatra,” curated by IGFF’s creative partner, Freedom Studio. The exhibition showcased inspiring images from 40 districts highlighting Anupam Yatras.
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