At just 14 years old, Sharmila, a young leader from Sindhuli, embarked on an extraordinary journey. As part of Girls Takeover, she assumed the role of Member of Parliament (MP) Honorable Ishwori Gharti Magar for a day, determined to be a catalyst for change in her community, and focused on ending child marriage.

Sharmila’s fearless determination brought her from the heart of Sindhuli to the parliamentary chambers of Kathmandu.

During her time as an MP, Sharmila not only learned to be a political leader but also raised crucial social issues in the hallowed halls of the parliament.

The unwavering spirit of a young activist

Initially overwhelmed by the prospect of swapping seats with a parliament member she had only seen on television, Sharmila soon found her voice. She shared her remarkable journey and experiences as a child marriage activist with MP Ishwori Gharti Magar. It was during this interaction that Sharmila revealed the challenges she had encountered in her activism.

While she had been advocating against child marriage as part of Champions of Change (a Plan International programme that aims to advance gender equality through youth engagement), a close friend of hers didn’t follow advice and got married.

This experience was a stark reminder that internalising change is a complex process that demands collective and ongoing efforts.

Sharmila, together with her friends from Champions of Change, resolved to launch more extensive, collaborative campaigns in their community.

“Taking over as an MP for a day was an unforgettable experience. At first, I was nervous, sitting in a place where I had only seen politicians on TV. But as I started sharing my journey and the challenges I’ve faced as an activist against child marriage, I realised the importance of speaking up,” said Sharmila.

She further added, “One of the most significant moments for me was when I admitted that we couldn’t stop my close friend from getting married. It was a hard lesson to learn, but it showed me that real change takes time, effort, and the support of our community.”

Leadership in the making

Sharmila’s openness in sharing an unsuccessful event, where they could not prevent her close friend’s child marriage, resonated deeply with MP Ishwori. It showcased Sharmila’s authenticity, resilience, and eagerness to learn – qualities that define a true leader. MP Ishwori praised Sharmila, foreseeing her as a future parliamentarian. With her ongoing social work, Sharmila was clearly on the path to becoming an MP one day.

“I also had the opportunity to share my work on creating reusable cloth pads and teaching others. It was incredibly encouraging to hear MP Ishwori’s praise and her belief that I could become a parliamentarian one day,” shared Sharmila.

“During this takeover, I made a promise to continue my fight against child marriage, gender-based violence, and child labor. I know that girls can be leaders, and we need support from local governments and parliamentarians to make a difference,” expressed Sharmila.

MP Ishwori commended Sharmila’s dedication and offered her best wishes. She reassured Sharmila, recalling her own nervous moments as the president of a child club during her early leadership days.

MP Ishwori emphasised the significance of these experiences in molding future leaders and urged others to hold parliamentarians accountable for their commitments.

Honorable MP Ishwori shared, “Participating in the girls’ takeover event was a powerful reminder of my own journey. I started as the president of a child club and faced nervous moments. But these experiences are what shaped me and brought me here.”

“Supporting girls’ activism is crucial. We must allocate resources, ensure accountability, and champion their voices. They represent not only their communities but also the future of our country. Let’s empower them to lead and hold us accountable for their rights.”

Education and extracurriculars

Sharmila stressed the importance of education for girls, advocating for child-friendly and menstrual-friendly school environments that support uninterrupted learning. She implored parliament members to address these issues and allocate necessary resources. She called upon local governments and parliamentarians to provide support in this endeavor.

Sharmila, a dedicated volleyball player, raised concerns about the lack of support for girls in sports. She highlighted the biases that label sports as being primarily for boys and the scarcity of girls’ tournaments.

She said, “Education is key for girls, and we need safe, supportive environments to continue our studies without interruption. I also raised the issue of support for girls in sports, as it’s not just a boy’s game. My dream is to become a soldier, protecting girls from harmful practices like child marriage.”

She further stressed, “This experience taught me that girls can make a difference, and we should never be afraid to raise our voices and hold leaders accountable. I’m determined to bring about positive change in our society and beyond.”

Sharmila’s journey from a determined young activist to MP is an inspiring tale of youthful leadership, resilience, and a vision for a better future for girls in Nepal. Her passion and dedication give hope to future generations, illuminating the path to positive change.

Categories: Campaigns Tags: Activism, girls' leadership