From menstrual hygiene to financial literacy and digital literacy, the KISHORI project has paved the way for a brighter future for Stuti Sapkota. Currently, in the eleventh grade, Stuti was a student at Tri-Padma Vidyashram Secondary School, Pulchowk and largely considered herself an average student, however, her dedication to studies and her drive to excel was anything but.

With strained economic conditions, she often watched her parents leave early in the morning and return late at night, their faces etched with fatigue. Witnessing their struggles ignited a desire within Stuti to make them proud and bring joy to their lives.

KISHORI: A Hope for Stuti

It was a challenging time for her, with very few opportunities to learn, but during this, she got into the KISHORI project by the Shequal Foundation. She has exclaimed that the project has been a beacon for her toward a brighter future, through which she has earned the skills that have made her a confident young woman.

In its wide range of topics, the KISHORI project has guided Stuti about menstrual hygiene and how to take care of herself during her periods and counseled her on how to mentally deal with the situation to make her truly comfortable with her body.

The financial literacy chapters of the program were eye-opening to her, as she was exposed to knowledge she didn’t even know she needed to traverse her career. Bank transactions share markets, tax-related transactions, provident funds, sales and service tax, income tax, and much more. These were things that she wouldn’t have learned otherwise, and they equipped her with the tools needed to navigate the challenges of the world.

“I have enjoyed every moment of the program, and I am immensely grateful for the opportunity,” Stuti said with a smile. “The Kishori project has been a game-changer in my life, and I am confident that I will go on to achieve great things.”

Life after KISHORI

Now with the comfort of understanding what goes on with her body and how to deal with it healthily during her periods, Stuti aims to get past her current limitations and put the financial literacy she gained from the KISHORI project to use. She aims to pursue business opportunities and explore ideas about how to bring that business into her hometown so that everyone can flourish.

She wants to work with the other young women in the program as well, as their camaraderie helped each of them learn and grow better. “I will use the knowledge and skills I have gained through this program to create a bright future for myself and my family,” she vowed. “Thank you, Shequal Foundation, for empowering me and many other young women like me.”

The challenges ahead are many, but Stuti is ready to face them head-on, armed with the knowledge and skills she has gained from the KISHORI project. The future looks bright for Stuti, and she is determined to shine.

In the fabric of our experiences, subtle biases weave a narrative that often goes  unnoticed until challenged.  

Allow me to share a personal story that has shaped my perspective on gender  roles from a young age. During my school days, I was an active student who  eagerly participated in various extracurricular activities. I lived in the excitement  of competitions, always seeking new challenges. However, as I look back on those  moments, I now realize something that went unnoticed at the time—the striking  absence of male participants in the dance competitions and the glaring lack of  female participants in the football matches. 

Growing up, I didn’t have a single toy car. All I had was a Barbie set, and  Bhadakuti. I wasn’t much exposed to sports, or video games- through my family,  friends, or school. 

This had me wondering, why were certain activities considered only for boys or  girls, from a very young age? These simple examples show how stereotypical  gender roles shape our choices and lives, often without us fully realizing their  impact.  

As the years passed, I pursued a bachelor’s degree in social work. On my very first  day of college, I couldn’t help but notice that out of the 44 students in my class,  only 9 were male. This sparked numerous discussions among me and my friends,  questioning the reasons behind the disproportionate distribution of male and  female students in different subjects. Why were there more female students in  fields like social work and environmental science, while more male students chose  mechanical engineering and artificial intelligence? Was it solely due to personal  interests, or did societal pressures play a role in guiding gender-specific subject  choices? 

I think we all have seen such situation at certain point of our life, and we kind of  have an answer to these questions. I too did. But my questions were answered to  some extent by an incident that took place at the Nepal’s Largest All-Female  Hackathon: Hacking for Humanity 2023.

While conducting pre-events at more than 30 IT/Engineering colleges, I had the  opportunity to interact with many college faculties and students and hear their  perspectives. During this process, in one of the colleges, the Head of Department  there said, “All our top 5 students are females in terms of academics and  intelligence. However, when it comes to competing in a competition like  Hackathon, they all step back.” When I asked for the reason behind their  hesitation, it became evident that the “society” was the major hindrance. Parents  would not allow the girls to participate because the majority of participants would  be boys, and staying overnight for a competition was not considered an option.  This made me contemplate how females are discouraged from an early age- firstly  by limiting the exposures to toys, or resources, and even if they pass that barrier,  through societal norms. 

So, at Shequal, our goal has been to create a safer space for women to compete  and handle all aspects of the event independently, whether it was coding,  research, documentation, or presenting. This groundbreaking event brought  together female students from various IT Engineering colleges across many provinces of Nepal, leaving a profound and inspiring impact. 

It was an eye-opening experience to witness the enthusiasm and determination of  these female IT and Engineering students. Despite the disproportionate ratio of  male to female students in these fields, the young women showcased their  readiness to seize the opportunity they had long been denied. More than 1,000  female students were reached through these workshops, resulting in over 80  teams registering to participate in the hackathon. 

The quality and creativity of the ideas presented by these fresh minds were  simply awesome. The female participants brought forth innovative concepts that  challenged existing norms and pushed the boundaries of what is possible. So, we  do see positive changes in our society, and it is very encouraging. The narratives  surrounding career choices are shifting, emphasizing individual ability and  capacity over gender stereotypes. The notion that one must belong to a specific  field to make a meaningful contribution is being changed.  

However, it is essential to acknowledge that gender balance is a two-way street.  Just as all females deserve to be heard and thrive in the field of IT and  Engineering, it is equally important to create space for all males to contribute 

their unique perspectives and expertise in domains related to liberal arts and  other multidisciplinary subjects. 

It is with great pride that we recognize the impact of these multidisciplinary  collaborations. Every small or significant difference made through such endeavors  creates a ripple effect, ultimately shaping a better future. As we continue to break  down barriers and encourage diversity and inclusivity, we inspire a new  generation of students to pursue their passions fearlessly, knowing that their  ideas and voices hold immense value. 

Let us celebrate the achievements women can make in the ICT and development  sector to empower Nepal. Together, we can drive innovation, challenge  stereotypes, and build a world where talent and capability triumph over gender based biases. 

As we celebrate the triumphs of women in all disciplines, let’s acknowledge the  transformative impact of the All-Female Hackathon. Empowering women in  technology is not just a one-way journey; it’s about fostering collaboration where  diverse voices, irrespective of gender, shape a future of limitless possibilities.  Together, we challenge stereotypes, drive innovation, and build a world where  talent prevails over bias. With this in Nepal’s Largest All Female Hackathon 2024, I  encourage all females and individuals who identify themselves as females to  come out of their comfort zone and create an idea to make Nepal Empowered.  Welcome to Hacking for Empowered Nepal.  

Coming from a non-tech background, I feel extremely privileged to be working  and creating impact here, among the top contributors in this field. I salute the  female pioneers and the bearers of the torch, and I commit to creating a better  space where women can flourish and increase their impact in this area.

Residing 570 kilometers away from the capital and traveling hours across barren and muddy roads to get even the necessities of life, Puja Paudel hails from Simta, Panikhola. Growing up in such conditions has been tough for Puja, but they have taught her the importance of hard work and perseverance. Marred with a childhood of struggles and hardships which many children only read in books and on television, Puja has already had to take on responsibilities far beyond the age of 17. 

Daily household chores throughout the day, for her entire family, keep her pretty busy when she’s not at school, but that’s the story of every poverty-stricken household of her village. 

In a path of woes, Puja finds solace in her determination to learn and make a difference in this world, but alas, her school is way too far and there are no means of transportation in between. So, she studies in a hostel provided by the school, but given her weak economic status, she’s not allowed to intake on the expensive courses, but still her determination does not waver. 

The Beginning of Puja’s Journey  

Amidst the challenges, Puja found the opportunity to be a part of KISHORI – an initiative by the Shequal Foundation which aims to encourage, empower and equip adolescent girls with foundational, financial, digital & life skills. When her school was chosen for the KISHORI project, she was able to attend multiple transferable and life skill sessions which gave her the knowledge and awareness she needed about vital menstrual hygiene practices. 

Traditionally, Puja and her friends used to practice Chhaupadi (a tradition involving banishing young girls to mud huts or sheds away from home during their period, as they were considered “impure”) and spend hours in a cold room. Unaware of the fact that this was not at all the right way of dealing with menstrual bleeding and scared by the belief that not practicing Chhaupadi will bring bad luck and ill health, she suffered. But through KISHORI, not only does she now know the right way to take care of herself during her cycles, but also has been empowered to raise her voice against those harmful traditions that force women and girls into isolation during such sensitive periods of their life. 

From being scared to raise her voice to now finding a sense of perspective and a deeper appreciation of self-confidence and empowerment, Puja, through KISHORI, is now more vocal about her aim to become a deputy inspector. To make her family proud and protect her nation, this brave bird’s determination has impacted even her community and is an inspiration to us all. 

Becoming a Positive Force for Change  

Puja’s journey has not been easy, but she has persevered in leading her to overcome tremendous obstacles. Her story is a testament to the power of education and empowerment, and how it can transform the lives of those who are struggling. Her experience with KISHORI has further reinforced her commitment to becoming a positive force for change, and she is determined to use her newfound knowledge and skills to serve her community.  

Puja’s journey has just begun and her gratitude towards Shequal and the KISHORI project is immeasurable. She is eager to see where life takes her after KISHORI for the project has been a life-changing experience for her. At the end of the project, she simply said, “I am immensely grateful for the opportunity that the KISHORI project has provided me and am eager to continue my journey of personal growth and development.”