'Ring the Bell' campaign for women's economic empowerment

March 21,Kathmandu.The 'Ring the Bell' campaign has been launched in Nepal for the economic empowerment of women. The campaign was launched by ringing a bell on Friday. Ring the Bell is a campaign to raise awareness and ensure an inclusive economy for the economic empowerment of women.

Speaking on the occasion, UN Women Nepal Representative Patricia Fernandez Pacheco said that Ring the Bell is not just a warning but an opportunity to unite to ensure serious issues like women's economic empowerment.

"Removing the barriers women face in their economic access is not only a matter of justice, but also of opening the door to development, innovation, and opportunity for all," she said.

Meanwhile, Shobha Kanta Poudel, Chairman of the Nepal Stock Exchange and Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, said that despite progress in the political participation of women in Nepal, further efforts are needed as progress has not been made in the economic sector. "To increase women's participation in the banking and financial sector and increase economic opportunities, technology, finance, and financial literacy must be addressed together," he said.

Meanwhile, Finnish Ambassador to Nepal Rina Rikka Hikka praised the role played by Nepal's female entrepreneurs and businesspeople. She said that Finland is committed to developing gender equality in Nepal by bridging the digital divide, supporting female entrepreneurs, and promoting an inclusive economic system for the economic development of Nepali women.

Nirmal Dahal, National Officer of the International Finance Corporation, spoke about the initiatives taken by the private sector for women's economic participation. He said that the private sector has done various things to remove obstacles to reaching the decision-making level through the 'Women on Boards and Business Leadership' program. In the program, speakers and panelists discussed the challenges, strategies and future directions of women's economic empowerment.