On March 8th 2015, Nepali Women’s Global Network (NWGN) decorated the halls of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA with bright smiles and beautiful sarees. The occasion was International Women’s Day and the theme was to # Make It Happen – “Women Empowerment” to celebrate womanhood while also emphasizing on empowerment one another.

The program started with an inspirational song of courage, dream and determinations from NWGN team” Jagaun Nari Chinau Hami Afno Swabhiman” followed by a powerful and inspirational speech from NWGN President Rukmini Karki. She shared the significance of the international women’s day and highlighted the need for honoring Nepali women’s accomplishments. Rukmini said “today is not to dissect our struggles, but today is a day to celebrate; celebrate our successes, our achievement, our strength and our sisterhood”.

NWGN, an organization formed to promote the interests of Nepali women around the world, hosted over three hundred and fifty people in the audience representing a diverse group of communities from the greater Boston area. The event was emceed by Roshana Ghimire and Deviyani Dixit. In the program there was honorary mention which was facilitated by Ms Sadhiksha Nepal ,she is the member of NWGN .Nepali women leaders and educators such as Dr. Amrita Regmi, Dr. Bidya Ranjeet, Dr. Meena Khadka, Dr. Muna Aryal and Ms. Samjhana Gurnug Shrestha were recognized. Additionally, entrepreneurs Hazuri Singh, Sheela Manandhar, Kiran Manandhar and Nabina Gurung were felicitated.  Elder women Amas Sabitri Sapkota, Sabitri Pokharel, Jamuna Adhikari, Seti Gurung and Man Kumari Gurung from Boston area were honored at the occasion.

The program also included a diverse list of entertainments and educational presentations ranging from UMASS Rang, a capella group to song, dance and poetry performances by members of the Nepali community. SheBoom. A women’s percussion ensemble based in Somerville, MA, got the audience on their feet dancing to the beats of resistance while the informative sessions by Muqaddisa Mehreen (Educational Specialist, UNICEF), Shanti Joshi and Sonja Darai (Office of Somerville Commission) encouraged them to reflect on gender issues from varying perspectives. The key note speaker was Audre H. Paek, Board of Directors, chair of Asian Task Force and Principle and General Manager of Visionary Steps, who empathized on the need for education to ensure gender equity. Dr. Bidya Ranjeet congratulated Rukmini, NWGN board members and NWGN members in Boston for their work in bringing awareness of women’s issues and providing support and advocacy. She also quoted  Nelson Mandela “Poverty is not an accident; like slavery and apartheid, it is manmade and can be removed by the actions of human beings” and said similarly gender inequalities are manmade and can be removed by our actions. Dr. Meena Khadka praised President Rukmini Karki’s and NWGN for providing a platform to empower women and opportunity for women to network.  The program ended by a warm vote of thanks from Nirmala Sherchan. She thanked the participants, media and all invited guests for their participation and making the program a grand success; she acknowledged the MITeri team for their ongoing support to NWGN. She praised NWGN Boston team for organizing such a memorable event under the leadership of NWGN President.

There was an air of warm gratitude from the audience; they were so inspired by the honorees, speakers and the women who put the program together that many of them wanted to be put on the list to speak at the next international women’s day celebration. Light refreshment was also served after the vote of thanks. The celebration took place from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, an hour longer than scheduled, and exhibited its theme “Make it Happen” to a fullest degree.

Source…….(Neha Rayamajhi)