Empowering change: The role of female leadership in advancing women's rights

This deeply ingrained gender inequality left many women without the tools to take control of their lives, limiting their opportunities and futures. 

These early experiences sparked a determination in me to challenge the harmful social norms that constrained girls and women in my community. Today, as a National Volunteer Adolescent and Youth Health Coordinator with VSO Nepal, I am working to create a world where girls and women are no longer defined by these limiting traditions.

My work is centred around empowering young people, particularly marginalised girls, by giving them the knowledge and tools they need to claim their rights and create change in their own lives. 

Through my role, I provide young women and girls with safe spaces to discuss critical issues like sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence, and adolescent leadership. By conducting community discussions, we not only raise awareness but also advocate for stronger policies and better access to services.

I also work closely with female community health volunteers to improve health services in the area and push for policy reforms that will ensure that girls and women are given equal access to education, healthcare, and leadership roles. 

In addition to my fieldwork, I've had the privilege of serving as a VSO Digital Ambassador, which allows me to amplify the voices of youth through digital platforms.

Using social media and online spaces, I raise awareness about gender equality, youth rights, and the challenges faced by girls in Madesh Province. These online discussions and campaigns have provided a powerful tool to bring these critical issues to a wider audience and spark meaningful conversations about societal change.

Reflecting on my journey, I am proud to be working in the very community where I was born and raised, contributing to positive change in a place that shaped me. Yet, there is still so much more to be done.

Many of the challenges that I faced as a child still persist in Madesh Province. Child marriage continues to rob girls of their futures, with many forced into marriages at a young age because of financial pressures or deeply rooted cultural beliefs.

The dowry system, which remains prevalent in many parts of the community, adds further financial and social strain on families, perpetuating gender inequality. 

Moreover, education remains a major barrier for many girls. Poverty, early marriage, and family responsibilities often force girls to drop out of school, leaving them without the skills needed to pursue careers or escape cycles of poverty.

This lack of access to education also perpetuates restrictive gender norms, where girls are often expected to remain at home and take on household duties, even if they’ve acquired valuable skills. 

Access to sexual and reproductive health services is another significant challenge. Many adolescents in my community do not have accurate information about their health and rights, which makes them vulnerable to unsafe pregnancies, health complications, and even unsafe abortions.

This lack of education and access to services further hinders the opportunities that girls and women can have in life. 

One of the most profound experiences of my work has been seeing the power of young women who, despite the odds, stand up to advocate for themselves and their peers.

Through mentorship sessions, workshops, and community engagement, I’ve seen first-hand how educating young girls about their rights, and providing them with leadership training, can be transformative. I help them develop confidence, equip them with the skills to advocate for themselves, and create networks that allow them to support one another.

These girls are not just learning to speak up. They are actively taking on leadership roles in their communities and advocating for changes that benefit everyone. 

I’ve also seen the impact of female leadership, both in the women around me and in the young girls I work with. Female leaders, like my mentors at VSO, inspire me with their resilience and courage. These women balance their professional and personal lives while still making time to challenge traditional gender roles and fight for a more equal society.

Their leadership shows me that change is possible and that the voices of women and girls can have a real impact on shaping the future. 

At the policy level, I continue to advocate for the inclusion of women’s voices in decision-making. I push for reforms that will ensure that women are not just participants in governance and policy discussions but are leaders shaping those decisions.

Women’s perspectives are essential in creating policies that address the unique challenges we face, from healthcare to education to gender-based violence prevention.

By empowering women to take on leadership roles in local government, healthcare, and community organisations, I hope to create a future where women’s voices are no longer marginalized but celebrated. 

One of the most critical aspects of my work is also addressing gender-based violence. In many communities, women and girls are subjected to violence, yet they are often too afraid to speak out due to fear of social stigma, legal barriers, or threats from perpetrators.

I work to create safe spaces where survivors of gender-based violence can come forward, share their stories without judgment, and access the support they need. These spaces are vital in breaking the cycle of silence and ensuring that survivors can rebuild their lives with dignity and support. 

Unfortunately, many cases of gender-based violence, such as rape or harassment, go unreported due to societal pressures, intimidation, or bribery.

Survivors are often silenced, allowing perpetrators to go unpunished. That’s why I work closely with organisations like One-Stop Crisis Management Centres (OCMCs) and female community health volunteers to ensure that cases of abuse are reported and that survivors receive the necessary legal and medical support. 

Despite the many challenges we face, I am hopeful for the future. The path to gender equality may be long, but it is not impossible.

With collective action — combining the efforts of government agencies, civil society organisations, and grassroots leaders — I am confident that we can create a world where every girl has the freedom to choose her own path. A world where girls and women are no longer held back by harmful traditions, and where their voices are heard and valued. 

My vision is a world where every girl feels safe, empowered, and able to pursue her dreams without fear of discrimination or violence. A world where child marriage and gender-based violence are no longer a reality, and where girls have equal access to education, healthcare, and leadership opportunities.

This vision drives me every day as I continue to work toward creating a society where gender equality is not just an ideal but a reality. Together, we can build a future where every girl is free to dream, lead, and thrive.