25 December 2021: Upholding the theme ‘Sports for Women Empowerment’ on 25 December 2021 Advocacy Forum supported Radio Mukti, Butwal in organizing a futsal competition among 12 teams of women representing different sectors such as government officers, health workers, journalists, social activists etc. A team of conflict-victim women, coordinated by Radha Poudel, wife of an enforced disappearance victim- also participated in the event. The event was organized in Green Lumbini Futsal ground in Butwal with representatives from Butwal Sub-Metropolitan, Radio Mukti, Federation of Nepali Journalists, Lumbini Province and Seto Gurans Child Development Service.
Speaking in the event Shiva Raj Subedi Mayor of Butwal Sub-Metropolis expressed that women are active in sports as they are in other fields and Sub-Metropolis, Butwal is committed to encourage women’s participation in sports. AF lawyer Indira Acharya said that such events become platform for women from different backgrounds to share and learn about their respective field of work and gain strength from each other.
The conflict victim women participants expressed their feelings that participating in football competition has enhanced their self-esteem. They shared that they have been spending their days crying for their loved ones and such events help in refreshing their minds and help in trauma healing process.
Among the 12 competing teams, the health workers’ team from Lumbini Provincial Hospital won the first prize and the Butwal Sub-Metropolis team was the runner-up. Both the winner and the runner up along with several title holders were awarded with trophies, medals, certificates and cash prizes.
During the conclusion of the program, participants suggested that the organizers need to conduct such events regularly in future as well.
