Laxmi Kumari Chaudhari, a G2C2 girl champion, giving welcome remarks at the project's kick-off event in Chapur.

Global Girls Creating Change (G2C2) Project Launched in Madhesh Province

The Global Girls Creating Change (G2C2) project, aimed at empowering young women to lead climate action, was successfully launched in Madhesh Province, Nepal. Supported by Hivos and Restless Development, the initiative seeks to foster a diverse movement of girl-centered climate action, shaping equitable and inclusive climate policies.

G2C2 Kick-Off Event in Janakpur: Empowering Young Women for Climate Action

On August 16, 2024, Life Nepal, a local implementing partner of the G2C2 project, organized an event in Janakpur with the participation of government officials, stakeholders, and twelve selected Girl Champions from Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City, Bardibas Municipality, Rajbiraj Municipality, and Sakhuwanarkatti Rural Municipality. The event included a symbolic tree-planting ceremony, panel discussions on challenges faced by girls and women in Madhesh Province, and keynote addresses by government officials.

During the panel discussion, panelists discussed the unique challenges girls and women face in Dhanusha District. Panelists included Ishrat Parveen, Mayor of Rajbiraj Municipality; Sunil Kumar Jha, Head of the Department of Women and Children at Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City; Shatrughan Karn from the Disable Society Janakpur; Balaram Shah, Principal of Sankat Mochan School; and Shahid Khatum, a Girl Champion. The discussion was facilitated by Sailendra Dongol, Digital Communications Consultant at Restless Development.

Sahida Khatun, a G2C2 girl champion, discussing the gendered impact of climate change in a panel led by Sailendra Dongol.

During the event, Pramod Jaiswal, the Honorary Province Minister of Sports and Social Welfare, expressed his appreciation, stating, “I would like to thank Restless Development for selecting Madhesh Province and Janakpur for the G2C2 implementation. Madhesh’s development indicators are lower than those of other provinces, and I fully support the successful execution of this project here.”

The program was facilitated by Bimala Rae, a Girl Champion from LIFE Nepal, while the vote of thanks was delivered by Sahida Khatun, another Girl Champion of G2C2.

Bimala Rae, a Life Nepal girl champion, facilitating the kick-off program.

G2C2 Kick off takes place in Chapur with Girl Champions and Government Officials

On August 21, 2024, SODCC, another local implementing partner of the G2C2 project, held a project kick-off event in Chapur with the participation of thirteen Girl Champions from Maulapur Municipality, Sakhuwaprasauni Rural Municipality, Baragadhi Rural Municipality, and Ramnagar Rural Municipality. Like the Dhanusha event, the Parsa event included a tree-planting ceremony, panel discussions, and remarks from government officials.

The panel discussion in Chapur addressed similar challenges, with panelists including Rina Shah, Mayor of Maulapur Municipality; Laxmi Devi Ray, Vice Chairperson of Baragadhi Municipality; Rajesh Prasad Rauniyar, Chief Executive Officer of Sakhuwaprasauni Rural Municipality; and Anjali Mahato Thakur, a Social Mobilizer. The session was again facilitated by Sailendra Dongol.

Remarks were also delivered by Jaswant Yadav, Chairperson of Sakhuwaprasauni Rural Municipality; Ashok Kumar Jaiswal, Chairperson of Baragadhi Rural Municipality; and Rina Shah, Mayor of Maulapur Municipality.

Jaswant Yadav, Chairperson of Sakhuwaprasauni Rural Municipality, sharing his remarks.

In his concluding remarks, Ebrahim Dewan, Chairperson of SODCC Parsa, emphasized, “Climate change is real, and we are facing severe impacts. G2C2 will undoubtedly create a positive impact on society by enabling Girl Champions to drive meaningful change.”

The Chapur program was facilitated by Niriksha Chaudhari, a social mobilizer at SODCC Parsa.

G2C2 Empowers Young Women for Climate Action

Both events highlighted the importance of empowering young girls to lead climate action and address social injustices in Madhesh Province. The G2C2 project is expected to create a ripple effect for positive change through collaboration with government agencies and the dedicated efforts of the Girl Champions.