News

Sandhaann Fellowship Program: Research Writing Workshop

Anmol Neupane — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 09:27:21 +0000

Kathmandu

The Story Kitchen (TSK) concluded a three-day Research Writing Workshop in Kathmandu this week, aimed at strengthening the skills of participants in its Sandhaann Fellowship III program. Held from September 3–5, the workshop focused on equipping fellows with critical tools for feminist research writing, historical analysis, and critical concepts that will guide their work throughout the 2025 fellowship. A total of 20 fellows and 6 representatives from partner organizations including FEDO, Samata Foundation, Body & Data and NIDWAN participated in the three-day event. Throughout the session, participants delved into key themes such as Feminism and Patriarchy, Intersectionality, and the emerging field of Histo Journalism. The sessions provided both theoretical grounding and practical skills in feminist research methods, self-editing, and effective writing techniques.

The three days workshop was facilitated by Dr. Meena Poudel (sociologist) and Dr. Harikala Adhikary (Sandhaann Editorial Advisor). While, Ms. Jamuna Siwakoti, Head of the Department, Central Department of Gender Studies led discussions on semi-academic writing, historical analysis and knowledge production. Dr. Suresh Dhakal, Associate Professor, Central Department of Anthropology,Tribhuvan University, guided participants on historical writing and the value of applying an anthropological lens in research. TSK launched the Sandhaann Fellowship program 2021/22 with the aim of co-exploring and co-writing Nepal’s social, political, economic, and cultural movements through a feminist perspective.

Empowering Dalit Women Leaders: A Reflection on Leadership and Agency

TSK Admin — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 11:33:42 +0000

The Story Kitchen (TSK) conducted a series of Self-Reflection and Leadership Workshops with 107 previously elected Dalit women representatives across all seven provinces of Nepal from August to October 2024. These province-level workshops were designed to create a safe space for women leaders to reflect on their leadership journeys, share experiences and learn from one another. Additionally, the workshops sought to document their strategies, challenges and enablers that helped them navigate and assert their leadership roles.
Through storytelling and reflective exercises, participants explored their power within, recognizing their agency and influence in shaping their communities. The workshops facilitated deep discussions on the barriers they faced, their strategies to counter injustice and their evolving perspectives on leadership and politics. These women also shared valuable insights and recommendations for various stakeholders to create a more inclusive and supportive working environment.
This initiative builds upon TSK’s continued engagement with Dalit women representatives elected in 2017, who served for five years at the local government level. Despite reaching positions of power, these women have endured systemic gender- and caste-based discrimination throughout their lives. Through this engagement, TSK aimed to assess how they exercised their leadership, the challenges they overcame, and the impact of their tenure in governance.
By amplifying their voices and experiences, TSK reaffirms its commitment to strengthening women’s leadership and ensuring that the stories of Dalit women leaders inspire future generations.

Women’s Movement In Karnali (Karnali Utsav)

TSK Admin — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 11:31:09 +0000

Panel Discussion on Women’s Voices and Movements in Karnali at Karnali Festival 2025

The Story Kitchen organized a panel discussion on “Women’s Voice: Women’s Movement in Karnali” as part of the sixth edition of the Karnali Festival, ‘Kuda Karnalika’. Held on 17 February 2025 in Surkhet, the discussion featured esteemed panelists:
• Ms. Laxmi Kumari Basnet – Secretary of the Ministry of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens. She is the first female secretary from Karnali Province in civil service sector
• Ms. Dil Maya Shahi – Local Journalist of Jumla District
• Ms. Puma Kami – Local Women Activist of Kalikot district
The session was moderated by Ms. Jaya Luintel, President of The Story Kitchen.
During the discussion, Laxmi Kumari Basnet reflected on her journey of overcoming societal barriers to pursue a career in government leadership. Despite the belief that daughters should not venture far from home, she moved to Kathmandu, passed the joint secretary’s exam, and dedicated herself to serving the nation. She emphasized that women’s leadership in Karnali is advancing across various sectors.
Women Activist Poona Kami shared her experiences of fighting against violence during the armed conflict in Kalikot. She recalled, “When bullets started entering our homes, we took away the guns of the state side.” She highlighted the immense suffering women endured during the conflict and the ongoing struggle for justice.
Journalist Dil Maya Shahi raised concerns about the state’s insufficient efforts to deliver justice and empower women and children in remote areas. She emphasized the need for greater institutional support for women’s rights and development in Karnali.
The Karnali Festival is an annual platform for debate and discussion aiming to explore and recognize the region’s history, culture, and challenges. The Story Kitchen was proud to be a collaborating partner in this significant event.

TOT on Storytelling Workshop

TSK Admin — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 11:29:45 +0000

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲!
We are excited to begin 𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 to measure 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠!
With funding support from 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝, under UN Women Nepal led initiative ‘Hamro Sahakarya’: Our Collective Action (the Storytelling Initiative), 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐊𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐧 are co-leading this longitudinal research which continues to explore the change in gendered social norms in Nepali society using 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐝𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲.
𝑪𝒉𝒆𝒄𝒌 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝑹𝒆𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 : https://shorturl.at/egL32
𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠

Book Launch “महिला आन्दोलनको सहखोजी”

TSK Admin — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 11:28:02 +0000

We are delighted to announce the launch of this historical book “Co-exploration of Women’s Movement: Sandhaan Series Collection 1” published in collaboration between The Story Kitchen and Department of Gender Studies, Tribhuvan University today, in the presence of Honorable Chairperson of National Women Commission – Kamala Parajuli, Former Minister- Hisila Yami, Department Head of Gender Studies- Dr. Sudeep Singh Nakarmi and Co-founder/President of The Story Kitchen- Jaya Luintel along with Sandhann Fellow/Writers .
This book comprises 22 research based articles of diverse women’s movement in Nepal. This is an initial attempt of writing history from a feminist perspective.
We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to all the guests whose involvement has greatly enhanced the significance of our program.
द स्टोरी किचेन र त्रिभुवन विश्वविद्यालय लैङ्गिक अध्ययन विभागको सहकार्यमा ‘महिला आन्दोलनको सहखोजी: सन्धान शृङ्खला सङ्ग्रह १’ प्रकाशित भएको छ । ‘सन्धान फेलोसिप’ अन्तर्गत रहेर पत्रकार र अनुसन्धानकर्मीहरूले लेखेको सो पुस्तकमा महिला आन्दोलनको विविध विषयका २२ वटा आलेखरू रहेका छन् ।
आज राष्ट्रिय महिला आयोगमा आयोजित कार्यक्रममा पुस्तकको आयोगका अध्यक्ष कमला पराजुली, पूर्व मन्त्री हिसिला यमि, लैङ्गिक अध्ययन विभागका प्रमुख डा. सुदिप सिंह नकर्मी र द स्टोरी किचेनका अध्यक्ष जया लुईंटेल तथा २१ जना फेलो लेखकहरूले संयुक्त रुपमा विमोचन गर्नुभयो । विमोचन कार्यक्रममा उपस्थित प्रमुख अतिथि, विशेष अतिथि, सन्धान फेलोसिपका लेखक र मेन्टर तथा उपस्थित विभिन्न क्षेत्रका व्यक्तित्वहरू सबैलाई हार्दिक धन्यवाद सहित आभार !

The Story Kitchen Wins Tomorrow’s Peacebuilders Award 2016

The Story Kitchen — Fri, 09 Dec 2016 00:07:56 +0000

8th December, 2016, London
The Story Kitchen has won the 2016 Tomorrow’s Peacebuilders Award for its work amplifying the voices of women survivors of gender-based violence during Nepal’s armed conflict (1996-2006). TSK was among 244 applicants from 61 countries, and was selected as the winner in the Women-Led Peacebuilding Category. The Story Kitchen has been awarded for its, “powerful approach of using storytelling to empower women, to give voice to survivors, and to challenge patriarchy,” as well as it’s “Smart use of journalism as a peace building and change tool.” In an event organized in London Dr. Scylla Elworthy Co-founder of the Peace Direct has given the award to The Story Kitchen.
After receiving the award, speaking at the ceremony in London, Jaya Luintel, President and CEO of The Story Kitchen stated, “We believe that in order for peace to be sustainable, the voice and experience of each individual, particularly of women, impacted by the war needs to be accounted. We have been creating safe and alternative spaces for women survivors of armed conflict to share their lived experience and gain confidence to claim justice.” The Story Kitchen will receive $10,000 U.S. dollars from the Peace Direct to build on its current work.

The Story Kitchen’s two current projects, Sharing and Amplifying Her Allegorical Stories (SAHAS) for Justice and Voices for Justice (VfJ) use storytelling to encourage survivors of gender-based violence during the decade-long armed conflict between the Nepalese government and the CPN Maoists to feel safe enough to break their silence, come together to heal, and seek justice. These projects are made possible with the funding support from the United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence against Women and the Governance Facility. TSK is implementing SAHAS for Justice project in partnership with National Alliance of Women Human Rights Defenders in Nepal.