In 2010, Britisher Jude Kelly (above) started a festival called Women of the World (WOW) festival to encourage conversations, celebrate stories and experiences of women from different walks of life.
Seven years later and the festival has grown into a full fledged global movement, way beyond what Kelly had expected.
“I really wanted to say that if you are a woman, or if you know a woman, this festival can celebrate your history and challenge any obstacles that are being experienced in the world,” Kelly told Nepali Times over e-mail. Kelly is also Southbank Centre’s Artistic Director.
This year, Kathmandu too, will host its own WOW festival in partnership with the British Council on 18 February, weeks ahead of International Women’s Day on 8 March. The festival has already been held in 20 cities across five continents.
“Through celebrating the achievements of the women they provide powerful role models, and through bringing together people from across South Asia they help to build a powerful network,” said Jim Hollington, Director of Arts South Asia of British Council.
The event comes at a a time when women’s issues are being strongly voiced in the country - in both social and political context. Kelly noted: “There is still too strong a perception that women’s equality would undermine men’s identity and destroy cultural traditions.”
Kelly will be among 99 speakers, panelists, mentors and performers who will be present at the event on Saturday. Other speakers include Anuradha Koirala, Sunita Danuwar, Malvikka Subba, Loonibha Tuladhar, Kripa Joshi and others.
Sri Lankan mountaineer who climbed Mt Everest, Jayanthi Kuru Utumpala, will also be attending to talk about the challenges of not just climbing the world's highest mountain but also fitting into a male-dominated sport. “My experience has shown that one’s gender really does not matter,” said Utumpala who hopes to inspire others.