Ava Darshan Shrestha and Rita Thapa

Ava Darshan Shreshta (PhD) is working as a Social Development/General Consultant in Nepal. She has worked for the government, United Nations agencies, bilateral agencies and several donors including the International Non-Governmental Organizations for the past two decades. She is also affiliated to many NGOs. Her research work primarily focuses on poverty, reproductive health, micro credit, employment and empowerment of women. More recently she has been researching on conflict/insurgency and its impact on women. A feminist activist, Rita Thapa is globally recognized for her ground-breaking work in founding Tewa, the Nepal Women's Fund. Currently she is engaged in peace-building work primarily through Nagarik Aawaz' which she helped found in 21. Rita is former chair of the Board of the Global Fund for Women and is a current board member of the Urgent Action Fund.