Adolescent Girls in Nepal - Between Tradition and Modernity
Adolescents in Nepal – Between Tradition and Modernity
Adolescent girls in today’s Nepal are part of a world in transition. Gender inequality and cultural norms limit their choices and determine their future from a young age. Girls around the world remain more vulnerable to poverty, climate change, food crises, conflict and war. In Nepal, many girls face child trafficking, economic exploitation, domestic violence, sexual harassment and abuse and it’s not surprising that the picture portrayed by the media and donors is often grim and heart-rending.
But the reality is a complex one that also includes strength, resourcefulness and encouraging changes. When Thomas L. Kelly set out in October 2012 to capture the images of adolescent girls in Nepal, he returned with images of many strong and confident adolescent girls. These young women are not mere victims of male dominance, criminal activity or poverty. They are valuable assets to the positive development of Nepali society, and deserve attention through a photo exhibition dedicated entirely to them and the broadening scope of their lives.
Adolescent girls are situated between tradition and modernity. The new generation growing up in Nepal is more literate, more educated and more gender-egalitarian than ever before. Boys and girls alike are far more open towards an expanded role for women in society. But the modernity that brings so many new dreams and possibilities, and enables these young people to experience so much more mobility, freedom and material wealth, also comes with new risks and challenges. How these young people deal with the challenges facing them, from persistent vulnerabilities to emerging risks, will set the course for Nepal’s future.
The exhibition was opened by Henning Hansen Chargé d'Affaires a.i., German Embassy
Dates of the exhibition: 7- 16 December 2012
Venue: Indigo Gallery, Kathmandu, Nepal
Read MoreAdolescent girls in today’s Nepal are part of a world in transition. Gender inequality and cultural norms limit their choices and determine their future from a young age. Girls around the world remain more vulnerable to poverty, climate change, food crises, conflict and war. In Nepal, many girls face child trafficking, economic exploitation, domestic violence, sexual harassment and abuse and it’s not surprising that the picture portrayed by the media and donors is often grim and heart-rending.
But the reality is a complex one that also includes strength, resourcefulness and encouraging changes. When Thomas L. Kelly set out in October 2012 to capture the images of adolescent girls in Nepal, he returned with images of many strong and confident adolescent girls. These young women are not mere victims of male dominance, criminal activity or poverty. They are valuable assets to the positive development of Nepali society, and deserve attention through a photo exhibition dedicated entirely to them and the broadening scope of their lives.
Adolescent girls are situated between tradition and modernity. The new generation growing up in Nepal is more literate, more educated and more gender-egalitarian than ever before. Boys and girls alike are far more open towards an expanded role for women in society. But the modernity that brings so many new dreams and possibilities, and enables these young people to experience so much more mobility, freedom and material wealth, also comes with new risks and challenges. How these young people deal with the challenges facing them, from persistent vulnerabilities to emerging risks, will set the course for Nepal’s future.
The exhibition was opened by Henning Hansen Chargé d'Affaires a.i., German Embassy
Dates of the exhibition: 7- 16 December 2012
Venue: Indigo Gallery, Kathmandu, Nepal
