The Zonta Club of Kathmandu, Nepal, in collaboration with partner organizations Ncell Foundation and Saathi Sansthan, conducted an impactful 16 Days of Activism campaign, reaching 1,746 students (1,006 boys and 740 girls) and teachers across 13 schools—4 government and 9 private institutions. The initiative focused on raising awareness about violence against women (VAW) and empowering youth to become advocates for gender equality.

The campaign featured daily sessions conducted in schools, except for the opening and closing days and weekends. Representatives facilitated a 1.5-hour learning session addressing gender-based violence, cybersecurity and Zonta’s global advocacy efforts. Each session concluded with an interactive Q&A to engage students and encourage dialogue.

An art competition invited students to express their understanding of gender-based violence and climate change through creative works. Each school showcased its top five pieces, and the final five winners were recognized at the club’s VAW Closing Ceremony on 10 December.

The program emphasized the importance of reaching Nepal’s youth, who comprise about 40% of the population, as future leaders and catalysts for change. By equipping students with tools to recognize violence, prevent harm and advocate for help, the sessions tackled rising issues such as domestic violence, rape, child marriage and the dangers of technology misuse and social media exploitation.