The Founders Speaking Tour
Princeton University, New Jersey, March 2001
In celebration of International Women's Day on Thursday, March 8, Renu Sharma and Tara Upreti will address the topic "Standing at the Crossroads: The Changing Status of Women's Rights in Nepal." The event begins at 4:30 p.m. in 28 McCosh.
Sharma and Upreti are activists for women's and human rights issues who were born in East Nepal and have been involved with the Women's Foundation of Nepal for almost 20 years. The foundation was started in 1988 by a group of students and professional women to address the problems faced by women in the country.
The two will describe the legal system in Nepal, including the constitution that was established when the country became a democracy 10 years ago. They will explain how the law treats human rights and, in particular, equal rights for women. They also will address the legal inequalities that still exist, and the social and cultural factors that affect women's access to the legal system.
The speakers also will look at the larger human rights situation in relation to the civil war now being fought in Nepal.
The event is co-sponsored by the Program in the Study of Women and Gender, the International Center, the Women's Center and the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.
Welesley College, Massachusetts, February 2001
"Effecting Fundamental Social Change: Women's Community Activism in Nepal" with Renu Sharma and Tara Upreti (Women's Rights Advocates from Nepal). 12:30-1:30, Pendleton East Atrium. Sponsor: Anthropology, Committee on Lectures and Cultural Events. Info: x2138.
Oberlin College, Ohio, March 2001
MARCH 8, 2001--A Nepali women’s rights lecture series is coming to Oberlin College March 13 and 14 through the efforts of The People Tree, Inc., a nonprofit organization, in collaboration with the Women’s Foundation of Nepal and the Oberlin Shansi Memorial Association.
Renu Sharma, Secretary General, and Tara Upreti, President, of the Women’s Foundation, will be speaking about their thirteen years of experience in women’s rights advocacy in Nepal.r
Both women are founders, along with forty other women, of the non- profit Women’s Foundation. This organization provides a battered women’s shelter in Kathmandu, legal consultation and representation for women in trouble, skill development programs, literacy classes, aid to low-caste children, sustainable agriculture workshops and initiatives, gender workshops, community-led development programs and more.
In addition to their offices with the Women’s Foundation, both Sharma and Upreti hold national positions on human rights coalitions.
Sharma is an executive member for the Forum for Protection of Human Rights, the oldest Non-Government Organization in Nepal to monitor human rights abuses. In 1999 she received the Ashoka Fellowship for Social Entrepreneurs for her Women’s Foundation work on witch-hunting.
Upreti is the Convener for the Non-Governmental Organization of Nepal and a member of the Joint Advocacy Campaigning Committee, campaigning to change the twenty-two national laws that are biased against women.
The two formal lectures are entitled, "Standing at the Crossroads: The Changing State of Women’s (and Human) Rights in Nepal" and "Effecting Fundamental Social Change: Women’s Community Activism in Nepal.
Smith College, Massachusetts, March 2001
Effecting Fundamental Social Change: Women's Community Activism in Nepal
February 8, 2001
Two officers of The Women's Foundation of Nepal, Renu Sharma (Secretary General) and Tara Upreti (President) discussed the motivation for starting the Foundation, its programs and goals, and the importance and challenges of community-led development.
Feminist Majority Foundation (listing) March 2001
The People Tree, Inc., a nonprofit organization, is collaborating with the Women's Foundation of Nepal to present lectures at over 12 colleges primarily on the East Coast of the US. Renu Sharma, Secretary General, and Tara Upreti, President, of the Women’s Foundation will be speaking about their thirteen years of experience in women’s rights advocacy in Nepal.
Both Renu and Tara are founders, along with forty other women, of the Women’s Foundation. This non-profit organization provides the following programs or services: a battered women's shelter in Kathmandu, legal consultation and representation for women in trouble, skill development programs, literacy classes, aid to low-caste children for school supplies and tuition, sustainable agriculture workshops and initiatives, gender workshops, community-led development programs, an awareness campaign about witch- hunting in Nepal, and more. The Women's Foundation is a volunteer organization, and has over 800 men and women as general members.
In addition to working daily at the Women’s Foundation, both Renu and Tara hold national positions on human rights coalitions. Renu serves as an executive member for the Forum for Protection of Human Rights, the oldest NGO in Nepal that monitors human rights abuses. In 1999, Renu received the Ashoka Fellowship for Social Entrepreneurs for her Women’s Foundation work on witch-hunting. Tara is the Convener for the NGO Confederation of Nepal, and is responsible for coordinating meetings between Nepali NGOs to discuss various programs around the country and make the most effective use of resources.
During their two-month tour in the US, Renu and Tara will be speaking at colleges and meeting with activist groups and human rights organizations. Their two formal lectures are entitled, “Standing at the Crossroads: The Changing State of Women's (and Human) Rights in Nepal” and “Effecting Fundamental Social Change: Women's Community Activism in Nepal.”
Mount Allison College, New Brunswick, November 2001
On March 8, approximately 60 women and
men gathered together in Crabtree auditorium
to celebrate International Women’s Day.
Amidst lit candles and cardboard cutouts of
women, those in attendance were encouraged
to say aloud, the names of those women in
their lives who were special to them.
Speakers included: poet Marilyn Lerch;
practicing midwife, founder and president
of the Midwives Association of New
Brunswick, Jennifer Ayer; and president of
the Women’s Foundation of Nepal (also
known as the Foundation for the Solidarity
and Development of Women), Tara Upreti.
The event organizer, Professor Karen
Houle noted, “It’s a chance to celebrate
something that’s unique and interesting
about the world and that’s women.”
University of Wisconson, Wisconson, March 2001
Lecture: "Effecting Fundamental
Change: Women’s Community
Activism in Nepal" by Renu
Sharma and Tara Upreti
