For All Women and Girls: Alisha Shrestha is transforming gender norms through sport in Nepal

Author: Sangharsha Panta

#ForAllWomenandGirls is a rallying call for action on the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Alisha Shrestha, from Nepal, talks about harnessing the power of sport to shift gender norms, empower girls and create space for them to lead in their communities.

Discovering football’s power to empower

Growing up in Rupandehi, Nepal, Alisha Shrestha enjoyed equal treatment at home and support from her parents. Yet she couldn’t ignore the subtle inequalities in how boys and girls were treated, at school, in daily interactions and in broader societal expectations.

It wasn’t until she began working with Atoot, a sports-for-development non-profit in rural Kapilvastu, that these disparities became stark realities.

“I saw how gender inequality was deeply entrenched,” says Alisha. “Girls were deprived of basic rights and opportunities.”

Despite not growing up playing sports herself, Alisha witnessed the power of football in transforming girls’ lives.

“They grew into bold, strong, confident leaders, not just on the field but in their lives,” she says. “Football isn’t just a game. It’s how they’ve learned to discover their voice, their potential and their power.”

Redefining norms through football

In the rural Madhesi communities where Alisha works, girls playing sports remains widely unacceptable.

“There’s a fear that if girls play, they’ll become outspoken or disobey their families,” she explains. “Once they hit puberty, they’re often pulled from school, let alone sports, to prepare for marriage.”

The challenge, she says, is two-fold: breaking societal norms and building self-confidence among girls who lack female role models.

She says that through Atoot’s consistent programming; however, change is unfolding.

“Girls are now demanding football gear and cutting their hair short – an act of defiance in a place where long hair symbolizes femininity,” she shares. “They speak with confidence about finishing school, building careers and living life on their own terms.”

Some girls have even stood up for their right to delay marriage. By involving them in programme design and leadership, Alisha sees their growth into decision-makers and role models.

According to the National Population and Housing Census 2021 of Nepal, 44 per cent of married girls in Kapilvastu District reported getting married between the ages of 10 and 17.

The power of mentorship and collective action

Alisha is a part of the Women Leaders Mentorship Programme, hosted by the European Union in Nepal, that pairs 13 women leaders (aged 23-29) with Ambassadors, Heads of Agency, and Representatives. Under the program, she is being mentored by Patricia Fernandez-Pacheco, UN Women Country Representative of Nepal.

“Patricia helped me realize I didn’t have to replicate someone else’s path; I could define my own,” Alisha reflects. “That mindset has reshaped how I lead.”

The mentorship cohort, made up of diverse women across professions, has also been a source of strength. Alisha says such mentorship not only builds confidence but seeing each other as fellows reinforces their committed to their goals. “Despite our different contexts, we face similar challenges. There’s so much power in our shared experiences.”

A call to recognize sport as a driver of equality

Marking 30 years of the Beijing Declaration, Alisha sees progress in Nepal’s policies, but also persistent gaps in implementation, especially in rural parts of Nepal.

“Sport wasn’t one of the 12 critical areas in the original Platform for Action,” she says. “But it should be. Sport is a powerful equalizer. It gives girls visibility, confidence and voice.”

She believes grass-roots sports deserve recognition not just as a tool, but as a transformative force in delivering gender equality, especially for girls often left behind.

For all women and girls...

“I hope you have the freedom to choose your own path and live life on your own terms. May you believe your voice matters, and that the choices are yours to make: Her voice. Her choice.”