Speaking up for human rights
As part of the International Youth Day blogathon, Sostika, a Youth Advisory Council member of Plan International Nepal, shares her journey as a youth researcher in Nepal’s first-ever youth-led human rights report to the United Nations through the youth-led Universal Periodic Review.
By Sostika, Youth Advisory Council member
I am Sostika from Sindhuli, and a member of the Youth Advisory Council of Plan International Nepal. For a long time, I have been speaking up for the rights of children, adolescents, and young people. Through different organisations, including Plan International Nepal, I have had the chance to work on many issues affecting young people.
My activism has always been about ending child marriage and promoting dignified menstruation in my community in Sindhuli. During the 2021 girls takeover event, I took over the role of Mayor of Kamalamai Municipality. On that day, I raised my voice to demand that the government test the quality of sanitary pads being distributed in schools and make sure they were safe and high-quality. To my relief, the Mayor listened. A team was formed to check the quality, and later, better sanitary pads were distributed in all government schools. For me, this was proof that when girls speak up, change is possible.
One of the most important experiences for me has been taking part in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process as a youth researcher. It was the first time in Nepal that young people prepared and submitted a youth-led human rights report to the United Nations. For me, this was not just a new learning but also a continuation of my daily work of advocating for young people’s rights.
Listening to youth voices
As a youth facilitator from Bagmati Province, I worked with Yuwalaya to collect stories and experiences of young people. During workshops, I had the chance to listen to many issues that are often overlooked.
Some young people shared how unemployment was affecting their mental health, while others spoke about the rise of drug use among youth. Many were frustrated with the poor quality of education and the lack of government action. Girls raised concerns about irregularities in the free sanitary pad distribution and the lack of clean drinking water.
Young people with disabilities shared how inaccessible environments and the lack of inclusive language created barriers for them. LGBTQIA+ youth also spoke about how difficult it was to express their identity openly, facing stigma, mockery, and discrimination in their communities. Hearing these stories made me realise how diverse but interconnected our struggles are.
Nepal’s first-ever youth-led human rights report submitted
Nepal submitted its first-ever youth-led and child-led human rights reports to the UN, ensuring young people’s and children’s voices shape global human rights discussions.
A journey of learning and sharing
Facilitating the two-day provincial workshop was eye-opening. I learnt about challenges I had never seen before, but also about the courage of young people to speak up. This journey was not only about collecting information but also about sharing knowledge, creating solidarity, and building collective recommendations for change.
The suggestions from young people were powerful. If these are taken seriously by decision-makers, many of the problems we discussed could be addressed. For me, being part of the youth-led UPR report has been a journey of growth, learning, and hope.
I believe that when young people are given the platform to lead and their voices are respected, we can make real progress in protecting and promoting human rights in Nepal.
As a young activist, I see the youth-led UPR as more than a human rights process. It is also a way to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, because the issues we raised, like education, health, gender equality, and climate action, are all part of the global agenda. This year’s International Youth Day theme, ‘Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond,’ truly reflects our journey. By leading the UPR process, we showed how young people are not only demanding change but also shaping the path to reach the SDGs in Nepal.
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