The world nation celebrates International Women’s Day on the 8th of every March with a specific theme. Various organizations hold up conferences, which focuses on how the status of women in the society can be improved. Beauty queens who have the power and platform to change something for the women across the world, they never shy away. One such strong and confident woman is Miss World Nepal 2019, Anushka Shrestha.
Sathi Nepal in collaboration with VSO and other organizations recently organized a National Youth Conference, where Ms. Shikha Shrestha, Head of Program-Inclusive Governance, VSO Nepal shared experience on social norms which included theoretical aspects and leanings from GBV focused SAHAJ project. The theme of the panel discussion was “gender equality” .
The panel discussion held on the first day of the conference included Anushka Shrestha, Miss Nepal 2019, Hassina Bano, Youth Activist- VSO, Sarita Sah, Youth Activist- VSO, and Sanjog Thakuri, President, Hami Daju Bhai and was moderated by Amuda Mishra, Executive Director, Founder, Ujyaalo Foundation.
Ms. Hassina Bano started with her story and expressed that “We girls have to wear niqabs (masks) when girls from our community go out of the house. That is not a problem. If the girl behind the niqab (mask) is uneducated and deprived of opportunities, that is a big problem. I am the first girl to go to a regular school from my community because I spoke up. I hope now I'm an example for many."
Miss World Nepal 2019 Anushka Shrestha, who was awarded the Beauty With a Purpose award during the Miss World 2019 pageant, focused on expressing her desire about enabling or encouraging the women to become independent and in charge of their financial well-being. She shared her honor of being a part of a panel, which focuses on giving the women the rights they deserve. She connected with the topic because it was similar to what her beauty with a purpose project is all about.
The diva posted a picture and captioned it with, “Had the opportunity to be on a panel advocating #generationequality, alongside activists that have been role modeling the very concept. As we spoke of our individual experiences with gender equality across generations, amongst more than 200 youths from all provinces of Nepal, we realized how much we have in common. Thank you, Saathi for the invite!”
The panel also discussed the ill doings of society when it comes to a woman. She is denied her basic rights, which include voting, education, marriage, etc. They also expressed their grief about how young girls are being burnt alive just for the sake of dowry.
Ms. Sarita Sah further spoke the reality she had been through, "Many girls have been burned alive for dowry. Female infanticide is common. We have conducted meetings/discussions in the village to spread awareness. Before, even when we conducted meetings/discussions only husband and or in-laws would come; they wouldn't send daughter and daughter in law. But when they heard about the things we discussed in such meetings related to GBV and empowerment, they let the daughters and daughter in laws attend the meetings. Change starts small."
Even though these steps are not on a mass level but are baby steps towards the empowerment of women but they are helpful and working. People like Anushka Shrestha who is not only just beauty titleholders but also role models for various young girls across the globe. Their confidant attitude and aura with very persuasive speeches and their real-life incidents motivate and support the other women and they start to believe in themselves.
A true beauty with a purpose Queen indeed.