Laptops distributed to support educational and professional growth of women
Laptops distributed to support educational and professional growth of women
Kathmandu, November 29
Gargi Media, with the support of the R-Star Foundation, distributed new HP 15-inch laptops to six women yesterday at an event in Kathmandu.
Three of the six women, ages 17 to 36, are persons with disabilities, and several face caste discrimination and domestic violence.
During the ceremony, the participating women provided feedback on how the laptops would affect their studies and work.
Sharu Bk, a journalist for more than a decade, stated, “My old laptop would crash while I was working. Now I can work smoothly. With my usual income, I could hardly ever afford a good new laptop.”
Dhana Pariyar, aspiring to become a podcaster, shared her goal of breaking the mindset that only those who are ‘beautiful or attractive’ get opportunities in the visual media industry.
She said, “I was hoping for a second-hand laptop. Receiving a new laptop is an important milestone in my journey.”
Paralympian medallist Sarita Thulung, whose team had helped Nepal win against India and Bangladesh in the 2017 wheelchair basketball competition, spoke about the high cost of equipment being a major challenge for people like her.
“I have never owned a good laptop before. This laptop will greatly assist me in continuing my thesis and work. Beyond cricket, other athletes face financial struggles due to insufficient facilities,” she said.
Gargi Media has long provided leadership and media skills training to women and children through its voluntary team of journalists. The recently launched ‘Devices, Space, and Skills’ campaign aims to expand women’s empowerment by emphasising digital access, workspace availability and skill development, the organisation stated.
Anjali Subedi, managing director of Gargi Media, said, “Earlier, we focused on awareness and skill development. But when many women started requesting that ‘even a second-hand laptop will do,’ we were inspired to start this programme.”
The R-Star Foundation has previously supported rural women through income-generation initiatives and schools with digital resources.
This marks its first effort to digitally empower educated, urban women. “This support, along with our other programmes, aims not only to strengthen women professionally but also to enable them to participate in national debates and contribute to digital discourse,” Subedi added.