Education for all: Empowering Girls through Knowledge and Opportunities

Dhiraj Tharu

Background

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• I’m Dhiraj Tharu.
• I'm currently studying law in grade 12 at Nepal Mega College.
• I have a keen interest in learning new things and exploring new places.
• I grew up in Paterwa Sugauli Gaupalika, Belwa Parsa. Currently, I live in Kathmandu.
• One of the previous fellows of Aakar Nepal told me about this fellowship programme. I became interested in participating in this program to address the social issues and to learn about new things

Project

Background

Baseline Data

• 132 million girls worldwide do not have access to schools (UNESCO, 2021).
• Major causes: cultural norms and practices, gender-based violence or even home to school distance.

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• In Nepal, literacy rate has been increasing: the male literacy rate is 83.6 percent while the female literacy rate is only 69.4 percent.

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Approach

Adopted 3 different approaches

Collaborative Partnerships: Collaborations with various institution such as school, local organizations, experts and community leaders allowed this project to tap into diverse expertise and resources.

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Personal Stories: I shared impactful success stories about girls from my terai community, providing relatable examples of importance of education.

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Interactive discussions: During the expert session with Ms. Priyanka Pokhrel, students learned through two-way discussion.

Challenges

Distance from the planned site

Currently, I’m studying in Kathmandu. Initially, my plan was to conduct the project in my hometown in Terai but it was not possible due to distance and time.

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Solution: I started my project implemented in multiple locations in Kathmandu and Lalitpur.

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Time Management

The second challenge that I’ve faced was the time schedule for collaborations between different stakeholders.

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Solution: I’ve learned that constant communication is essential when conducting sessions involving multiple collaborating stakeholders.

Absent in person

I wanted to help some students from my community in the Terai region continue their education. But I could not be physically present to help them.

Solution: Even though I couldn't be there physically, I managed to guide them virtually.

Project Timeline and Milestone

Sessions at Adarsha Kanya Niketan School.

Virtually Conducted project at Terai Region

Session at Child Orphanage

Impact

• People impacted: Students: 111, Parents: 6
• Total number of sessions: 15
• Total number of institutions: 4, types of implementation 5

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Impact 1: Adarsha Kanya Niketan School

This Project shifted the students' perspective on education:

• Importance of gender equality in education
• Help students to recognize that education is not only about grades but also about building a fair and equitable world for all.

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• 5 Sessions with 42 students in grades 8, 9, and 10.
• Shared document with information about scholarship opportunities - some students secured scholarships using this information!

Impact 2: Project at Terai Region

• Guided 3 students to continue education.

I virtually guided students from the Terai region who had recently taken their Secondary Education Examination (SEE) but did not obtain a grade high enough to pursue further education. Initially, their parents had decided not to proceed with their education. However, I successfully convinced them about the importance of education and helped them (Students) apply for the compartment (re-exam) of SEE and helped them in filling out their forms. They have also successfully taken their exam and are now waiting for the results.

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Impact 3: Bibek Swachha Sewa Kendra

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• My mentor and I held a session to an orphanage to help them recognize the importance of women's education and encourage students to aim high.

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• 20 students from grades 5 to 10.
• Donated 8 books

Impact 4: Nepal Mega College

I arranged a session at Mega College to motivate students for their own initiatives, encouraging proactive involvement and positive community impact.

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Additionally, Upon the request of College Authorities, I hosted an expert session inviting Ms. Priyanka Pokhrel, who is also former fellow for an expert session “Political Participation of Women”.

• 2 sessions:
• Encourage community involvement in women’s education
• Expert session about “Political Participation of Women”
• 23 students present.

Impact 5: Padmodaya school

• 1 session with 26 students collaborating with another Aakar fellow

During this session, I collaborated with my fellow of Aakar Nepal, Dipisha, who had been engaged in her project at this school right from the start.

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I talked about the cultural norms in the Terai region, focusing specifically on the women's education. I underscored the broader influence of women's education, focusing on its effects on both individuals and society at large.

What I learned?

Here's what I've learned throughout the entire project in terms of skills

• Effective communication: communicating with stakeholders, Public Speaking
• Utilization of online resources and research skills
• Changing the mindsets of people through education
• Community Partnership
• Project Management
• Cultural Awareness: Understanding local context for project success.
• Personal Growth: Developing empathy, resilience, and confidence

I will continue working on developing my skills and I plan to continue to guide and support the students in my community for further education even our project deadline ends in Terai region.

If I had more time, I would

• Reach out to more distant places and teaming up with local groups (other organizations, schools, teachers, parents and communities) to help more girls.
• Tell the story of this project through to inspire others to be involved.
• Pair girls with successful women mentors from the community, showing them different jobs they could do.

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Thank You!

Baseline Data

• The latest UNESCO data shows that 132 million girls worldwide do not have access to schools (UNESCO, 2021). The major causes include cultural norms and practices, school-related gender-based violence or even home to school distance.
• Similarly, UNICEF data shows, 129 million girls are out of school around the world, including 32 million of primary school age, 30 million of lower-secondary school age, and 67 million of upper-secondary school age (UNICEF).

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Project milestones�

1. Approval from school (Aadarsha Kanya Nikrtan school).

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2. Presentation session on the topic "महिला शिक्षा: अन्तर्निहित समस्या र कानुनी पक्ष" .

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3. Drafted a proposal letter to Ms. Priyanka Pokhrel .

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4. Project in Terai region.

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5. Follow up of Project in Terai region.

6. Book donation in Aadarsh Kanya Niketan school.

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7. Promoted individual projects at Nepal Mega College.

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8. Expert session on “Political Participation of Women.

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9. Career Path Session with Youth Along Voice Nepal.

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August

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Sessions at Adarsha Kanya Niketan School.

Virtually Conducted project at Terai Region

Session at Child Orphanage

Sessions at Nepal Mega College

Session at Padmodaya Secondary School

If I had more time, I would

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• Plan for the project to keep going by involving locals and organizations that care.
• Tell the story of the project through words, pictures, and videos to inspire others to help.

Lastly, If I had more extra time, I'd work on expanding my project to various schools.

I will continue to guide and support the students in their pursuit of joining +2 for further education even our project deadline ends in Terai region.

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