Feminist Fellowship 2025 Nepal: Youth Declare Feminist Future

Kathmandu: From June 16 to 18, Project Abhaya’s Feminist Fellowship 2025 Nepal brought together 32 vibrant young changemakers from across the country for a transformative three-day event in Bhaktapur. Together, they explored bold ideas to reshape leadership, justice, and policy through a feminist lens.

An Immersive Youth-Led Experience

Unlike typical training programs, this was a hands-on, interactive journey. Participants attended sessions on governance, intersectionality, storytelling, and grassroots organizing. As a result, they formed lasting connections and shared inclusive visions for Nepal’s future.

🔗 Learn more about Project Abhaya on their official website

Powerful Voices and Insightful Dialogues

The program featured several influential speakers:

• Bidhya Bhattarai, former Education Minister, urged the need for feminist values in school curricula.

• Simrika Sharma (UN Information Center) highlighted storytelling as a tool of empowerment.

• Meena Sharma, founder of Dignified Workplace, pushed for gender-inclusive policies.

• Kamala Parajuli, Chair of the National Women Commission, emphasized urgent legal reforms.

Their words sparked critical thinking among participants.

Local Leadership in Action

Leaders from local government also stepped up:

• Sunita Dangol, Deputy Mayor of Kathmandu, spoke on the role of language and identity in policymaking.

• Rajani Joshi, Deputy Mayor of Bhaktapur, encouraged more young women to take on civic roles.

Their support reinforced the importance of policy change from the grassroots up.

Centering Youth Leadership

Youth leadership was the beating heart of the program.
Dujang Sherpa, President of the Nepal Student Union, reminded everyone:

“Leadership isn’t about rewards—it’s about responsibility.”

Young participants left feeling empowered to act now—not later.

From Vision to Action

On the final day, under the theme “Ideas for Liberation: Building the Feminist Future,” participants presented creative group projects and joined a powerful closing circle.

Two important documents were unveiled:

• The Feminist Political Handbook – a collection of strategies and stories developed during the event

• The Kathmandu Feminist Declaration – a 10-point manifesto calling for an inclusive, democratic Nepal

A Message of Momentum

Ishika Panta, founder of Project Abhaya, closed the fellowship with these words:

“This fellowship wasn’t about creating leaders tomorrow—it was about reminding them they already are.”

She emphasized that this moment is just the beginning of the feminist future Nepal dares to build.