Kathmandu, March 5, 2025 – The National Federation of Women Living with HIV and AIDS Nepal (NFWLHA) organized a remarkable program at Hotel Himalaya to commemorate International Women’s Day 2025. Themed “Accelerate Action – Empowering Women, Strengthening Communities,” the event highlighted the resilience and achievements of women living with HIV while addressing the challenges they face.
The program began with registration and a warm tea session, welcoming participants from diverse sectors, including representatives from NFWLHA, advocacy groups, and stakeholders from across the nation. Rita Kumari Gurung, Program Officer, officially inaugurated the event by emphasizing the importance of collective action and empowerment for women living with HIV.
Prithi Maya Limbu, Secretary of NFWLHA, shared the objectives of the program, shedding light on the organization’s mission to amplify voices, provide support, and ensure the sustainability of women-led networks amidst funding challenges.
One of the program’s highlights was Sajana Adhikari’s presentation, which showcased NFWLHA’s major achievements and milestones over the years. From advocating for rights to building support systems, the federation has been instrumental in transforming lives.
The panel discussion, moderated by Jyoti Pariyar of NFWLHA, brought together influential voices, including Sara Thapa Magar President of NFWLHA, Yam Kala Rai (Recovering Nepal Women), Tulasha Ghandari (Jagriti Mahila Mahasangh), and Simran Sherchan (Federation of Sexual & Gender Minorities Nepal). The dialogue revolved around strategies to strengthen women-led networks and tackle sustainability issues, particularly amidst dwindling resources.
Audience engagement peaked during the Q&A session, where participants raised pertinent questions, sparking insightful discussions. The event also celebrated emerging youth leaders in the community, with awards distributed by prominent figures such as Divya Raj Joshi (AHF), and Minu Pariyar (NFWLHA).
Deepak Dhungel, Regional Advocacy and Marketing Manager of the Asia Bureau – AHF, delivered a powerful keynote, reiterating the importance of global solidarity in addressing HIV-related challenges. Divya Raj Joshi, Country Program Manager of AHF Nepal, delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all the participants, panelists, and organizers for their contributions.
The program concluded with remarks from Nirmala Paudel, Vice President of NFWLHA, who officially closed the event by emphasizing the collective commitment to empowering women and strengthening communities. A networking lunch followed, leaving participants inspired to drive forward the agenda of resilience and sustainable change.
Through events like this, NFWLHA continues to champion the rights and well-being of women living with HIV, ensuring their voices remain at the forefront of advocacy and development.
