| |
Three Day Mega Event
INTRODUCTION
The plight of a woman in South Asia is not unheard of
in patriarchal societies such as those in the South
Asia Region. Empowerment of women in South-Asia has
remained a challenging issue. It has received increasing
attention in the region especially in the last two decades.
Despite challenging
circumstances, women have over the past two decades
made
substantial headway in the social, economic and political
development. International Women’s Day is celebrated
annually on March 8 by women worldwide by holding events
to honor women.
Realizing the importance
of networking among South Asian woman entrepreneurs,
a three day event focusing on “Solidarity of South
Asian Women for peace, prosperity and a progressive
society” was organized by SCWEC, FWEAN, Tewa and
ASMAN on the occasion of International Women’s
Day. The three day event was participated by Women from
Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
This event was a platform for women from all seven countries
to come together as a unified force and honor, celebrate
achievements in solidarity
EVENT ACTIVITIES
Intra
Regional Trade Fair - Exhibition
Venue: United World Trade Center, Tripureshwor,
Kathmandu
Date: 7 – 9th March 2009 (Official
Inauguration on morning of 7th March 2009)
Products from India,
Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Nepal
and Bhutan were exhibited. The Fair was inaugurated
by the First President of Nepal, Rt. Honorable President
of Nepal, Dr. Ram Baran Yadav. Through the trade fair
networking and, exchange of trading between Nepalese
women entrepreneurs and the South Asian entrepreneurs
took place. On the occasion FWEAN President, Ms. Pramila
Acharya Rijal, Minister of Industry, Ms. Astha Laxmi
Shakya, SCWEC-India Chairperson, Ms. Indira Dutt expressed
solidarity on the issues of women. |
| |
|
Inauguration of Intra
Regional Trade Fair on 7th March 2009 on the occasion
of the 99th International Women’s Day Mega Event
by
Rt. Honorable President of Nepal, Dr. Ram Baran Yadav
Centre: Rt Honorable
President of Nepal, Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, Left: FWEAN
President, Ms. Pramila Acharya Rijal, Right: Minister
of Industry Ms. Astha Laxmi Shakya
|
| |
|
Official Inauguration
of the 99th International Women’s Day Intra Regional
Trade Fair by
Rt. Honorable President of Nepal Dr. Ram Baran Yadav |
| |
Unifying A Woman’s World-
Art Exhibition
Venue: Hotel Dl Annapurna, Durbar Marg,
Kathmandu
Date: 7th March 2009
Time: 6:30pm – 9:00pm (Evening)
This event,
helped in promoting and marketing skills of Nepalese
upcoming artists’ paintings. The event was supported
by Hotel de l’ Annapurna as a philanthropic gesture.
As a woman entrepreneur and the Director of Hotel Annapurna,
Ms. Shreejana Rana, set this as an example for responsible
business practices. 100 paintings were bought on the
occasion. The Chief Guest for this event was the US
Ambassador, Her Excellency Ms. Nancy Powell who spoke
on the importance of such events.
|
|
Inauguration of
Art Exhibition on 7th March 2009 by the Ambassador of
the United States of America to Nepal Her Excellency
Ms. Nancy Powell with philanthropic support from Hotel
Del Annapurna. |
| |
|
SCWEC Delegates with
the Ambassador of the United States of America to Nepal
Her Excellency Ms. Nancy Powell |
| |
Walk-a-thon Event
Route: Kings Way – Basantapur
Date: 8th March 2009
Time: 7:30am – 9:30am (Morning)
Women from South Asian countries, and
Nepalese women from all walks of life came together
for a walkathon event on March 8, 2009 giving a message
of solidarity and celebration of Women’s achievements
since International Women’s Day was celebrated
on February 28, 1909. The Bangladesh Ambassador, His
Excellency, Mr. Imtiaz Ahmed, US Ambassador, Her Excellency
Ms. Nancy Powell and South Asian Delegates and other
participants from all walks of life walked through the
streets as a unified force.
|
|
|
Official Inauguration of the Walk-a-thon
event on 8th March 2009
Sitting: From Left: US Ambassador, South
Asian Delegates, Heads of Organizing Team
|
|
The Walk-a-thon Event
on 8th March 2009 on the occasion of 99th International
Women’s Day.
Men and Women from Different Walks of Life attired in
Traditional Nepali Costume and playing Nepali Instruments |
| |
Rhythms of the Season
Venue: Garden of Dreams,
Thamel, Kathmandu
Date: 8th March 2009
Time: 6:00pm – 10:00pm (Cultural
Evening with Dinner)
Key Note Speaker: Dr. Massouda Jalal,
Former Presidential Candidate and Minister of Women’s
Affairs
This event was organized to honor
the challenges and achievements of women. An experience
sharing session talk was given from Dr. Massouda Jalal,
Former Presidential Candidate and Minister of Women's
Affairs, Afghanistan. A Cultural program on 6 seasons
was performed by Ms. Shreejana Yonzon followed by Nepalese
cuisine.
Sharing of Technical Expertise
(Cooperative Farming through Organic Methodology)
Venue: Hotel Annapurna, Durbar Marg,
Kathmandu
Date: 9th March 2009
Time: 10:00am – 4:30pm
Expert from India: Dr. Radha Krishna
Pant
Expert from Nepal: Dr. Deva Bhakta
Shakya
Nepal is predominantly an agro-based
country. Due to the economic importance of organic farming
which requires facilitation and intervention at different
levels, the agro workshop was organized for sharing
of technical expertise. An expert from India, Dr. Radha
Krishna Pant shared the achievements made by India in
Organic Farming. Dr. Dev Bhakta Shakya, Nepali Expert
also highlighted the ongoing trends of organic farming
in Nepal.
|
|
A workshop on “Cooperative
Farming through Organic Methodology” on 9th March
2009
Experts from India and Nepal with SCWEC Chairperson(Second
from Right) and FWEAN President (Second from left) |
|
FWEAN President giving
the welcome speech for the workshop |
| |
| Outcome |
1. Women from all
seven countries came together as a unified force and
celebrated achievements through networking; sharing
expertise and experiences, exchange best practices.
2. The program's objective was also to focus on women's
strength and ingenuity from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India,
Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. With the participants
comprising of activists, professionals and entrepreneurs
from SAARC member countries, NGOs and thought-leaders
across sectors and countries it was an opportunity for
women from all the eight countries to come together
and express their solidarity and celebrate past achievements.
This event was also a strong platform for regional networking
on the occasion of 99th International Women’s
Day 2009.
3. The Intra regional Trade fair helped
to facilitate co-operation ,intra regional development
,exchange of information, build trade links and networking
among the South Asian women from the of the SAARC region.
4. Activities through Agro Workshop
in Cooperative Farming through Organic Methodology proved
to be learning and sharing session for Nepalese entrepreneurs
in the agro farming business.
5. The Walk-a-thon helped in raising
awareness on women’s rights and their role as
key players in society.
|
 |
|
|
|
)
){kind=link}