Samjhana Paudel has bagged Social impact Award

Samjhana Paudel has bagged Social impact Award

• June 29, 2022

Namaste! I am Samjhana Poudel, President of a Non-governmental Organization in Nepal called Action Works Nepal. Although I am a journalist by profession, I have been directly/indirectly involved in promoting women’s rights via various campaigns. Born in Chitwan and currently living in Kathmandu, it was not under any pressure but my own interest to work for the people in Karnali, a region much rural and farther from where I am from. Since the establishment of our organization 12 years back, we had thought of working where others had not reached or even thought of, and be successful in bringing positive changes. During this period, we have been able to work effectively in the field of education, health and overall sustainable development targeting girls and women of the region.

Our organization has brought improvement from the local to policymaking level through its activities in the working area. I am happy that I am part of this organization and I have mediated to bring changes in the communities we have worked in. There were numerous challenges to work in a very different geography, language and culture than which I have lived with so far, but nonetheless, the very trials and successes over them have encouraged me, a conscious citizen, to do more in the days to come.

Action Works Nepal has been working in enhancing health, education, sustainable development and empowerment of girls and women of Karnali region since its inception. You may ask “Why girls and women?”. It is because in Nepal and many other developing regions of the world, women and girls are still deprived of their basic human rights. In case of Nepal particularly, even though there have been changes in political scenario, these have not improved the situation of this vulnerable and underserved group. Still, social evils such as child marriage, polygamy, want for a son and dowry are prevalent and making lives of thousands of girls and women miserable. Not only these, they are still facing violence and injustice in relation to menstruation. To fight these ills, Action Works Nepal has been carrying out various campaigns every year to ensure women and girls safe and just environment to live, grow and sustain.

Even though it is not easy to reach these remote locations and advocate for the basic rights of women and girls there due to difficult terrain and conservative cultures and traditions, we are giving our best. We are trying our best to build a good rapport with the local communities and stakeholders to work on various issues related to health and education of the women and girls in these regions. With the progress we have seen in the years, we are convinced that our effort, be it individual or institutional, has helped in physical development as well as in building awareness among the local communities in the areas we have worked.

Not only health and education, AWON has worked on women empowerment, livelihood improvement, initiated social business, and provided disaster risk reduction support to the communities of rural Karnali regions. It has impacted more than 20,000 women and girls of this region with its programs, as well as created learning opportunities for more than 200 students. More than 15000 students from 58 schools have been affected by our programs. With the upcoming activities, more than 20000 general population will benefit from the project called Miteri Peace Learning Program. I have been actively involved in all programs of AWON so far, and to see the change it has started in these communities.

AWON is always thankful to all its funders and donors who have made it possible for us to carry out these activities in such difficult terrains of Nepal. It has received help from various national and international agencies, which has helped AWON approach its goal and objectives towards prosperous and healthy societies. Our team, too, is comprised of mostly women, both in the executive board as well as general staff. Our local volunteers, too, are mostly women and girls who have been active in improving their lives and those of others in their communities and beyond.

Nonetheless, it is well known that there is always a greater role of one’s family in the success of the person, and I am no exception. I thank them from the bottom of my heart. Equally, I am grateful to all my colleagues at Action Works Nepal as well as other friends whom I have worked with to achieve the same goal in Karnali. It is because of support from these people in my life, that today I have been graced with such prestigious award in my career, and I am hopeful to receive their help and care in the future too.

Lastly, I would like to express my gratitude to the entire team of Women Icon powered by Women Council and affiliated with Times Women for nominating me for Social Impact Award for the individual and institutional effort in improving the lives of girls and women in Karnali region. I am happy that this award lets us showcase our effort in the international platform as well as mark the organization’s name among other international organizations working for the betterment of women and girls worldwide.