Portland, March 10 (Nepal Oregon News): This year's International Women's Day was celebrated with much fanfare across the world with the UN's slogan "Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate of Change." Likewise, a program was organized on Saturday March 9, 2019 at Nekusing Memorial Theater, West Coast Hollywood Taekondo, Portland, by Non-resident Nepalese Association - National Coordination Committee - USA Oregon Chapter to mark the International Women's Day (IWD).
Speaking on the occasion, Diwakar Maharjan, a renowned taekwondo guru and president of NRNA-NCC-USA Oregon chapter, underlined the need to end the tendency of underestimating the women.
Also speaking on the occasion was Nripendra Dhakal who expressed satisfaction on the adequate proportional representation of women office-bearers in the NRNA-NCC-USA and its state chapters.
Lisha Shrestha, a Ph D student at Portland State University remarked: "Despite the rhetoric for equal access to opportunities and gender equality, still a lot needs to be done for real women empowerment."
Immediate Past President of Nepali Association of Oregon (NAO) Ms Ganga Sharma stressed the need for gender equality in practice.
Manju Thapa Magar, councillor at the Emmanual Medical Center, Portland emphasized the need for equal access to education, jobs and other opportunities.
President of Nepali Association of Oregon (NAO) Bharat Banskota said that the organizing of such programs is very important and relevant. Baskota also dwelt on the history of women's struggle of gender equality.
Addressing the gathering, IOFTC general secretary Karen Blackledge who has visited Nepal several times said that we should work for empowering Nepal's rural women.
Daya Shakya, vice president of NRNA Oregon Chapter shed light on the importance of IWD and about the Oregon Chapter's activities at the program which was attended by about 75 Nepalese people living in Portland and its periphery.
Representatives of Nepali Association of Oregon (NAO), Nepa Chhen, Nritya Mandala Mahavihara and Nepal Oregon News were also present at the program. The program was conducted by Ms Alex Minu Maharjan of the Hollywood Taekwondo School. The program was followed by a potluck dinner and a live dance program.
On the occasion, different poems were recited by Nepali poetesses of Portland. A poem on "Why I like IWD" was presented by poetess Kusumabati Bajracharya while a poem on "Remembering motherland Nepal" was rendered by poetess Anjali Bajracharya. Poetess Naveena Shakya recited a poem on "Mother's love" which had an overwhelming emotional impact on the audience.
To wrap it up, the views of the speakers and those of the poetesses echoed the right voice and priorities that must be accorded to for the gender equality, equal access and for ending impunity for violence against women.
Some of the highlights of the program:
(Nepal Oregon News writer Rabin Man Shakya is one of the few Nepalese journalists in USA)
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