Srijana Kunwar

Srijana Kunwar is from Achham, Nepal, and is one of the leaders of the Baijanath Girls Empowerment Group in Achham district of Nepal. The Baijanath Girls Empowerment Group is formed by SAMABIKAS Nepal. Srijana is also a student and studies in a government school in their village where they live with their parents and siblings. Over the past two years, Srijana has taken initiatives to organise different social movements in their school to empower and educate more young girls. After taking training on gender equality, Sirjana committed themselves to abandon the chhaupdai tradition (menstruating girls and women are kept in cowshed or huts) and implemented this in their own home. Srijana even encouraged siblings, friends, and cousins to take this step as this practice was criminalised by the government. There are 25 young girls in the Baijanath Girls Empowerment Group in Achham and all are committed to stop child marriage in the village.

One action Srijana would like you to do:

"I believe that every girl has the right to decide when to marry and whom to marry. Child-marriage is one of the main reasons why there is gender inequality as many girls are forced to marry before the age of 20. Since we live in a very remote part of Nepal, it is really difficult for us to make our voices heard. So I would be glad if people will support us by helping us by involving us in events where we can meet young leaders around the world and share our experiences."