Zonta Club of Kathmandu hounours inspiring women

 Kathmandu, Mar. 5

Zonta Club of Kathmandu has honoured inspiring women from various fields who have been working towards gender equity on the occasion of the International Women’s Day and Yellow Rose Day.

It organised a programme on Sunday to felicitate them with awards and cash prize.

“Every year we celebrate International Women’s Day and Yellow Rose Day by paying tribute to women who have made a difference in our society,” said Ava Shah, President of the club. According to her, this year, the club honoured 12 exceptional women who have made in indelible mark in their respective fields and who continue to inspire young girls and women to pursue their dreams.

The Zonta Club of Kathmandu awarded ultra-marathon player Mira Rai with Princess Helen Shah Inspirational Award, acid attack survivor and activist Muskan Khatun with Amar Rana Game Changer Award, and gender boxing player Sushma Tamang and para-player Sonika Dhakal with Ratna Devi Women in Sports award.

Likewise, Bibhusha Pathak and Samiksha Khadka received Jyoti Scholarship Award, and Ajnani Pokhrel and Kalbina Shrestha were presented Indrakala Scholarship Award.

Unsung Heroes Awards were given to dancer Sita Subedi, electric bus driver Nisha Chaulagain, aerospace engineer Suneera Regmi and LGBTQ activist Pinkey Shital Gurung.

“The Zonta Club of Kathmandu promotes gender equality by supporting women to become financially independent through skill-based training, by building their capacity, and by organising events, workshops and seminars,” it said in a statement.

It said that Zonta members engage at the local and national level in advocacy and awareness efforts focusing on ending gender-based violence, equal pay, narrowing gender gap in male-dominated fields and more.

The club also honoured media persons who provided platform for the voices of those affected by gender inequality and amplify their stories, said Shah. It honoured Executive Chairman of Gorkhapatra Corporation Bishnu Subedi, editor of Nagarik Daily Guna Raj Luitel, editor of Annapurna Post Akhanda Bhandari, Editor of The Himalayan Times Rajan Pokharel, Editor of New Business Age Madan Lamsal, Editor of eKagaj Hari Bahadur Thapa, Editor of WoW Charu Chadda, reporters of Karobar Daily Pariwartan Devkota, of Ratopati Nikesh Khatri, of Artharojgar Saroj Dahal, of Laligurans Samjhana Dhamala of Nepalpress Rajaram Neupane, of ECS Esparsh Sarawagi, and Mahesh Swar of Kantipur. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 6 March 2023.