Women’s History Month 2026
Across Nepal, many women still face barriers shaped by poverty, caste discrimination, disability exclusion, and unequal access to education. Yet when given opportunity, women become powerful drivers of change. They strengthen health systems, expand economic opportunity, advocate for inclusion, and reinvest in their communities.
Highlighting 3 NYF alumnae who are advancing healthcare, disability rights, and economic empowerment across Nepal.
Each March, Women’s History Month invites us to honor the women who have shaped history and to recognize the leaders who are building a more just and equitable future. In Nepal, that future is being shaped every day by women who once faced barriers to education and opportunity and who are now transforming their communities through courage, skill, and leadership.
At the Nepal Youth Foundation (NYF), we believe that empowering girls is one of the most powerful investments we can make. When girls gain access to education, mentorship, and opportunity, they become leaders who strengthen families, expand access to healthcare, grow local economies, and advocate for inclusive systems.
This Women’s History Month, we are proud to highlight three remarkable women from our 35 Alumni Stories for 35 Years of Impact campaign. These leaders reflect the ripple effect of education and support. Their stories show what becomes possible when girls are given the chance to rise.
Meet the Women Leading Change:
Nirmala Gyawali
Olgapuri Children’s Home Alumna
Born visually impaired at a time when educational opportunities for blind children in Nepal were extremely limited, Nirmala Gyawali’s future could easily have been defined by exclusion. Instead, it became defined by leadership.
Raised in NYF’s K-house, now known as Olgapuri Children’s Home, Nirmala received long-term support from 1989 to 2004. When Braille education was available in only one school nationwide, she was enrolled at the Laboratory School in Kirtipur. She later earned degrees in Sociology and English Literature. In 2005, she completed a 26-month scholarship program in the United States, strengthening her skills as an advocate and leader.
Education transformed not only Nirmala’s life but also her family’s trajectory. Her sister became the first blind woman in Nepal to earn a master’s degree. Her siblings now work as teachers in Kathmandu.
Since returning to Nepal, Nirmala has dedicated her life to advancing disability rights. She serves as Public Relations and Fundraising Manager at Ability Development Society Nepal, supporting education, skills training, and livelihood opportunities for more than 1,500 children and adults with disabilities each year.
Her advocacy has led to meaningful progress, including promoting wheelchair-accessible classrooms, supporting sign language interpretation, founding Kathmandu’s first Braille library, and expanding inclusive systems such as accessible banking for blind individuals.
“I envision a Nepal where disability is not a barrier to living, working, or achieving your dreams.” Nirmala shared.
Dr. Alisha Rasaili
Empowering Dalit Daughters Alumna
Dr. Alisha Rasaili’s journey with NYF began in 2006 after she completed her School Leaving Certificate with outstanding marks. In Nepal, the School Leaving Certificate, often called the SLC, is a nationally administered examination taken at the end of secondary school. It marks the completion of grade 10 and is considered one of the most important academic milestones for students seeking to pursue higher education. Performing well on this exam can significantly shape a young person’s educational future.
Although Alisha had excelled academically, continuing her studies in Kathmandu felt uncertain due to social and economic barriers. Through NYF’s Empowering Dalit Daughters program, she received three years of support that enabled her to pursue higher education in the capital. Living and studying in Kathmandu at a young age helped her grow in confidence, independence, and leadership.
Today, Dr. Alisha serves as an ophthalmologist at a government hospital, restoring vision and improving quality of life for patients who might otherwise go without care. By providing specialized eye treatment at minimal cost, she helps ensure that families are not burdened by preventable blindness or limited access to medical services.
“Serving people at the ground level is deeply meaningful to me,” she shares.
Beyond the hospital, she conducts health camps, promotes public health awareness, and works to strengthen connections between communities and healthcare systems. Through her work, she is expanding access to care while helping build a stronger and more equitable health system in Nepal.
Her journey reflects the power of education. One academic milestone opened the door to higher education. Higher education led to medical expertise. And that expertise now restores sight for countless others.
Budhani Tharu
Vocational Education, Industrial Tailoring Graduate
Budhani Tharu was 21 when her life finally changed. After more than 15 years in the Kamlari bonded labor system, she was rescued and given her first real opportunity for freedom.
Introduced to NYF’s Vocational Education and Career Counseling program, Budhani slowly rebuilt trust and confidence. She completed industrial training and later worked at a garment company in Kathmandu for nearly a decade. During that time, she gained skills, financial independence, and a renewed sense of possibility.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Budhani returned to her hometown with savings and a dream. Today, she owns and operates a tailoring and garment shop in Dhangadi, supplying affordable, high-quality clothing to her community. Her business supports her family and provides employment to two other women seeking economic independence.