Women’s Voice for Change

In Nepal, the female population constitutes 51.48 % as in 2016, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, which is a huge number who can make a great difference if given an opportunity. In order to encourage women in Nepal to speak out their experiences and their ideas to create changes in other peoples’ lives, The Help Nepal Appeal (THNA), organized “Women’s Voice for Change” Speech Contest for the women of age 18 to 30 with a motto “Your Voice Matters”.

Every one of us has been through some experiences in our life which have changed us in some way but yet we lack inspiration and confidence to bring it out to the community. The “Women’s Voice for Change” provided a platform where you could share your story, your idea for change, and help you grow as a powerful being to make a difference.

THNA’s Founder, Jody Dontje, had won the Women’s Federation for World Peace Speech Contest in the UK last year. After gaining immense growth as a public speaker and as a passionate individual from this event, Jody Dontje, Melvin Sjerps, and the THNA Team were inspired to launch their own speech contest empowering young women in Nepal this May and June in KTM.

The criteria for contestants were:

• Female
• Aged 18-30
• Speaks English and Nepali
• Willing to share a personal story
• Has a powerful Project for Change idea
• Willing to launch idea within 3-6 months of speech finals

The event was held on 23rd June, 2018. The event began with storytelling by:

1. Trishna Shrestha – Story of Struggle and Strength
2. Pratima Oliya – Women Discrimination
3. Mandira Chaulagain – Self-Love and Acceptance
4. Puja Yadav – Happiness entangled in life complexities
5. Annu Mahaseth – Love Marriage Discrimination

The event continued with welcome remarks by the THNA Founder Jody Dontje and The Help Nepal Appeal (THNA) Inspirational Story. The Women’s Voice Contestant then gave a speech on the topic listed below.

1. Kusumsheela Bhatta – Online Blackmail- Cyber Safety
2. Neha Gurung – Statelessness
3. Rupa KC (Masterpiece) – Social Isolation- Youth Empowerment Workshops
4. Susmita Sapkota – Women Entrepreneurial Promotional Unit (WEPU)
5. Promisha Mishra – Menstrual Hygiene Centre
6. Terisa Tamang – Mental Health for Cancer Patients

The event was then taken over by various guest speakers listed below.

1. Namita Ghimire – Human Harmony Nepal
2. Shikha Nepal – Spoken Word Poetry
3. Shova Tamang – Principal of Samata Niketan School Bhaktapur
4. Amit Uprety – From Stutter to Agorian Speaker
5. Shirisha Maharjan – Siris Foundation

The competition was judged by Shikha Nepal, Melvin Sjerps, and Bindu Bhattarai. The winners of the event were Neha Gurung, and the runner-ups were Kusumsheela Bhatta, Susmita Sapkota, Rupa KC, Teria Tamang and Promisha Mishra. The “Audience Voice Award” was won by Kusumsheela Bhatta. 

Prizes:

Winner:

• 20,000NPR Start-Up Fund to empower your idea for change into reality
• 1 x Year Membership of Agora Speakers – a Public Speaking Club
• Ongoing Mentorship from THNA Founders Jody Dontje and Melvin Sjerps 
• 2 x Coaching Sessions from Empowerment and Change Coach Jody Dontje
• An Online Fundraising Platform to Help Raise Future Funds
•  THNA Charity T-Shirt

1st and 2nd Runner Ups:

• 1 x Year Membership of MIC for Youths – a Public Speaking Club
• THNA Charity T-Shirt

If you are inspired by this event and movement towards empowering voices for change, please do like The Help Nepal Appeal on Facebook.

If you are a woman between 18-30 years with a story and Idea for Change, keep an eye on when you can apply next year! Otherwise, any of you reading this article, male or female, please feel free to join the Valuable Volunteer Organising Team or join as a member of the audience.

“Your Voice Matters.”