Empower 400 Girls and Boys to be Leaders in Nepal

Following the successful completion of the 2025 Leadership Institute (LI), Women LEAD Nepal continued nurturing young women leaders through mentorship and hands-on leadership experience via the School Leadership Program (SLP), the second phase of the LEAD Course.

The mentorship journey began in December 2025 with a Mentor–Mentee Meet-up, where 26 LEADers were paired with mentors from Women LEAD Alumni community. Each LEADer was also matched with a Co-LEAD partner, forming 13 collaborative pairs that provided peer support throughout SLP. Mentorship remains a cornerstone of the program, with mentors offering guidance, encouragement, and practical advice as participants navigate leadership challenges. To further strengthen this support system, mentors participated in a dedicated training on effective coaching and mentorship.

In early December, LEADers attended a three-day SLP orientation, where they developed facilitation skills, learned session content, and prepared to lead workshops for younger students. This was followed by a school-matching period during which LEADers identified partner schools and coordinated with administrators to schedule sessions. This led to partnerships establishment with 13 schools across private, government, and community schools, ensuring participation from students of diverse educational and socio-economic backgrounds.

The SLP officially launched in January 2026, beginning with preparatory sessions for Co-LEAD partners. Soon after, LEADers started facilitating sessions in schools, with activities continuing through the end of March. Across 13 schools, the program is reaching over 300 students with approximately 70% girls and 30% boys ratio. Through interactive workshops covering personality types and teamwork, public speaking and active listening, leadership and followership, effective learning and time management, civic engagement, human and child rights, SRHR, gender stereotypes and VAW, and youth issues, LEADers act as relatable role models while simultaneously building their own confidence and public speaking skills.

Women LEAD Nepal prioritizes continuous learning and accountability throughout the program. After each session, participating students complete feedback forms to share their experiences and suggestions, enabling LEADers to refine their facilitation and keep sessions relevant and engaging. A structured debrief with Co-LEAD partners will also take place after the SLP graduation to capture reflections, lessons learned, and recommendations for future cohorts.

The program will culminate in a Graduation Ceremony on April 11, 2026, celebrating both the Co-LEAD partners who facilitated the sessions and the students who participated. This milestone marks months of preparation, leadership practice, and community engagement.

Women LEAD Nepal’s LEAD Course extends far beyond classroom learning. By combining mentorship, peer collaboration, and real-world leadership opportunities, the program creates a powerful multiplier effect: young women leaders empower younger students, who in turn gain the confidence and skills to lead in their own schools and communities.