Female Leadership Academy Report 2022/2023

Background

A group of ten Nepali women successfully scaled Mt Everest in the year 2008. Members of the group then became the first female team in the world to climb the highest mountain in each continent.

‘Seven Summits Women Team’ has been using its experience and success in mountaineering to empower the most vulnerable and marginalized young women in Nepal.

In 2014, we started mentoring a small group of young survivors of sex trafficking helping them become licensed trekking guides. Following the success of two pilot batches, we launched the “Female Leadership Academy” in September 2022.

Female Leadership Academy- Introduction

Female Leadership Academy is a two-year program focusing on creating sustainable livelihoods, dignified careers, and empowered lives.

Phase I of the program is called Foundation Training which focuses on the foundation skills required to build any career, including English language lessons, computer skills, public speaking, confidence building, and high altitude training.

Phase II of the program is Career Training. Trainees are mentored to build professional careers in the outdoor industry during this year.  Participants willing to develop careers in other industries will be mentored in partnership with related organizations.

The Beneficiaries

Around 150 trainees benefitted from Foundation Training during 2022-2023.

The training was conducted at seven different centers in Kathmandu and Sindhupalchok districts.

In Kathmandu, we conducted training for survivors of sex trafficking and other abuses at two shelter homes. Here the trainee numbers fluctuate as they go through various phases of recovery. Roughly around fifty girls and women were provided with English and computer classes. We started classes in one shelter home in the beginning. The sessions were so impactful that we were requested to run the classes at additional shelter homes as well.

In Sindhupalchok, we tied up with five different schools. Female students in the 11th and 12th grades were enrolled in the program. Sindhupalchok district has been infamous as a hub of girl trafficking for several decades. Therefore, we work in this region so that we can empower young women to help prevent trafficking. All of our trainees come from humble backgrounds, most of them from marginalized backgrounds.

Phase I- Foundation Training 2022/2023

Six full-time teachers were hired to provide regular classes on the following topics at all seven centers.

1. English language
2. Computer skills
3. Public speaking and interaction

Additional sessions were conducted as part of the first-year program.

1. Career Exposure Session with various experts
2. Introductory Rock climbing training
3. Local Guide Training- Certified by Government Agency

High Altitude Mountain Training

Besides the regular training, 109 trainees participated in high-altitude local guide training. The program was conducted in collaboration with the National Association of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHM) where internationally certified mountain guides provided 8 days of training from Feb 25 – March 2, 2023. The curriculum, developed by technical experts in trekking, mountaineering, and tourism, was modular and competency-based, designed to equip participants with essential skills, knowledge, and attitudes for guiding roles.

The program covered theoretical and practical classes, allowing trainees hands-on experiences with tools, materials, and equipment relevant to the field. Upon completion, participants received certificates, and the training included a trek to the Ne-pemesal region in northern Sindhupalchowk. This experience aimed to inspire participants to pursue careers as trekking guides or in the tourism industry. The trek provided insights into the tourism potential of the area, fostering an appreciation for its positive impact on local communities and economies. In addition to technical mountaineering topics, the trainees were oriented on mountain culture and sound environmental practices as well. (Watch video at the top of the page.)

The Future- Foundation Training 2024

Testimonials