On October 10th, I had the joy of sitting in a room with 110 girls from our GLOW Clubs. We were celebrating the International Day of the Girl. The theme was clear and urgent: “End Child Marriage, Investing in Girls’ Rights.” As a former Bahini myself, I remember what it felt like to sit in those chairs. I remember being nervous to speak up. So watching these girls take over the room with their confidence and their questions felt incredibly special to me.
The Questions They Asked
The most powerful part of my day was the Girls Talk Box. This is a simple box where the girls can drop in any question or concern without judgment, and we read them aloud to the group.
One girl asked, “Why do floods occur?”
On the surface, it sounds like a science question. But in October 2026, it was so much more. Just weeks earlier, terrible floods and landslides had torn through Nepal. Many schools were destroyed and thousands of children could not go to class. The girls in our clubs had seen the scary news and some had family in the affected areas. They were not just asking a geography question. They were asking about their own safety and the world around them.
Another girl asked, “Why do people think girls need to feel shy?”
Both questions, side by side, captured exactly what this day was about. The girls are trying to make sense of a world that often feels uncertain and unfair, and they are finding the courage to ask why.
What We Did Together
In small groups, the girls discussed the biggest challenges facing them today. They named poverty, child marriage, discrimination, and harmful traditional beliefs as the major barriers to their development. They also recognized that protecting girls’ rights is a shared responsibility, and that parents, teachers, community leaders, and local authorities all have a role to play.
We did not just talk about problems. The girls came up with solutions. Together, they drafted a powerful action plan. They proposed:
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Ensuring every girl has access to education and a safe learning environment.
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Organizing community awareness programs to stop child marriage.
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Encouraging parents and community leaders to support girls’ education.
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Providing health information, counselling, and safe spaces.
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Promoting girls’ participation in community decision-making.
To address these challenges, the girls recommended promoting education, raising public awareness, strengthening child protection mechanisms, empowering girls through life skills, and challenging harmful social norms. They also emphasized the importance of reporting suspected or planned child marriages to the appropriate authorities.
A Collective Commitment
The most inspiring moment of the day came at the end. The girls collectively committed to organizing awareness programs against child marriage in their own communities. They decided they would be the ones to encourage positive attitudes, support girls’ education, and promote equal rights.
Their words say it best:
“I learned that every girl has the right to education and a bright future. Child marriage is a barrier that we must end so that no girl is stopped from achieving her dreams. Girls should be allowed to express their opinions without fear.” — Ritika Shrestha, Tribhuvan GLOW Club
“This program helped me understand the harmful effects of child marriage and how it can affect a girl’s education and future. I learned that girls should have the freedom to study, follow their dreams, and make decisions about their lives. I believe every girl deserves a happy, safe, and empowered future.” — Rashmi, Panchakanya GLOW Member
Looking Ahead to the Next 15 Years
Because our Foundation’s anniversary and the International Day of the Girl both fall on October 11th, we always celebrate them together. It is a beautiful tradition. But this year felt extra special. It was our 15th anniversary.
This milestone made me think deeply about my own journey. When I was a young Bahini, I was nervous and I missed out on computer classes because of peer pressure. But the Foundation never gave up on me. They supported me through my Bachelor’s degree, and now I am on the staff, guiding other girls who were once just like me.
Hearing the girls speak up on October 10th gave me so much hope. In our anniversary post, we talked about our new Techknowledgy Center. I wish a place like that had existed when I was in school. I wish I had learned those computer skills sooner. But now, these 110 girls will have that chance. They will have a place to learn technology, build businesses, and gain life skills like self-defense and mental health awareness.
None of this would be possible without the ongoing support of our friends at Global GLOW, now known as Global Catalyst, who help make our GLOW Clubs a reality for girls across Nepal. Their partnership is a big reason why these 110 voices were able to speak so loudly.
Fifteen years ago, this Foundation started with a promise to educate girls. Today, I see that promise living on in every single one of these 110 voices. Their futures are bright. And we are just getting started.
Educate Girls, Empower Girls! When Girls Rise, Communities Rise!
- 110 Voices Strong: End Child Marriage, Invest in Girls’ Rights - October 26, 2026
- Building the Next 15: Local Leaders Rally Behind Our Techknowledgy Center - October 26, 2026
- From Afraid to Ask to Ready to Try - September 22, 2026
- New Skills for a Changing Nepal - September 22, 2026
- Building Emotional Strength: Mental Health Awareness at Pharping - July 27, 2026
