KATHMANDU:

Kate Joyce, Director of Cultural Engagement for South Asia at the British Council, is a dynamic leader with a passion for fostering connections across cultures, championing gender equality, and inspiring innovation in education and the arts.

With a career spanning diverse regions and sectors, Kate brings a wealth of experience in creating impactful programs that empower communities and celebrate diversity. In this candid interview with The Himalayan Times, she shares her perspectives on leadership, cultural engagement, and the books that have shaped her vision for a more inclusive and equitable world. Excerpts:

The Himalayan Times: The WOW Festival is a renowned platform for championing gender equality. What inspired you to engage with WOW, and what impact do you envision for South Asia?

Kate Joyce: I first experienced WOW in London, where a powerful performance on police responsiveness to gender-based violence deeply moved me. The subsequent discussions demonstrated WOW's strength as a safe space for addressing challenging issues affecting women.

The British Council began collaborating with WOW in 2017 to tackle South Asia's gender inequality-marked by low female labour participation and over 45 million girls out of school. Since then, we've hosted WOW Festivals in Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, reaching over 4 million people and empowering 1,000 women-led arts organisations.

Each edition aims to celebrate women, challenge perceptions, and create partnerships across South Asia and beyond. For instance, at WOW Madhesh, we partnered with UN Women for a night march reclaiming women's right to safety after dark. This year's festival in Kathmandu promises a rich line-up of performances, discussions, and collaborations with partners like UNESCO and Shilpee Theatre.

THT: How can WOW contribute to Nepal's gender equality discussions, and are there unique challenges it addresses?

KJ: This year's WOW, in partnership with Kathmandu Metropolitan City, gathers participants from across Nepal and beyond, creating a robust network for sharing ideas and solutions. While many gender equality issues are global, cultural norms and traditions significantly shape how they manifest locally.

Nepal's rich diversity and complexity are central to WOW'sapproach. Marginalised groups, like disabled women, often face exclusion, so we've prioritised accessibility with dual-language interpretation, sign language, and captioning. The festival will spotlight voices from diverse Nepali communities, showcasing the country's cultural richness and fostering dialogue in Kathmandu-a truly multi-cultural city.

THT: Many young women face family pressure to pursue traditional careers. What advice do you offer for navigating these expectations?

KJ: Choosing a career amid family pressures is tough, but aligning your work with your passions is crucial for long-term fulfilment. Reflect on your strengths and interests and articulate how your chosen path can lead to success-researchrole models in your field to demonstrate its potential to your family.

Creative industries, for instance, are proliferating and offer viable, respected careers. Start small-develop skills, take on projects, or find mentors who've overcome similar challenges.WOW Festivals provide mentoring opportunities that can be transformative. I hope families attending this weekend will beinspired by the incredible women from diverse professions.

THT: What experiences have shaped your approach to cultural engagement and promoting gender equality?

KJ: Working across diverse cultures has taught me that there'sno universal solution to gender equality-traditions and history deeply influence it. Partnering with local organisationsensures that our efforts are culturally sensitive and impactful.

The British Council adopts a holistic approach, focusing on creating opportunities for women, changing societal norms, and fostering local partnerships. This framework informs both WOW Festivals and broader programming, making them more sustainable and relevant to each context.

THT: How can societies like Nepal nurture unique strengths beyond traditional gender roles?

KJ: Inclusive education is critical. Teaching equality and diversity from a young age can transform societal attitudes.The British Council works with governments to improve education systems, focusing on equitable learning outcomes.

We also empower women and girls from marginalisedcommunities by providing essential skills like English and digital literacy, enabling them to make informed life choices.Platforms like WOW foster open dialogue, challenging stereotypes and showcasing diverse talents. Advancing gender equality isn't just ethical-it's an economic imperative with the potential to add $12 trillion to global GDP by 2025.

THT: How has the British Council used cultural diplomacy in South Asia, and what impact has it had on Nepal?

KJ: Our mission is to build connections and trust worldwide.Through initiatives like Culture Connects, we've united 1,000 artists and cultural institutions across South Asia, fostering collaboration and creativity.

Similarly, our Youth Skills and Leadership Programme has empowered 100,000 young people to address global challenges, including climate change. These programs highlight Nepalese talent on international platforms while strengthening regional ties and trust.

THT: Despite efforts, Nepal's education sector faces significant challenges. Why has progress been slow, and what steps could drive change?

KJ: The challenges are deeply rooted. Natural disasters like the 2015 earthquakes and the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted education at all levels, eroding years of hard-won gains.While basic education enrolment is impressive at 95.1%, reaching the most vulnerable children-those who are out of school-remains a significant hurdle. And even for those in school, quality is a persistent issue. Public schools often lack well-trained teachers and modern teaching resources, making it harder to keep students engaged, especially in higher grades where dropout rates soar.

But it's not all bad news. There has been progress. Initiatives supported by the British Council, such as multilingual education standards, teacher mentoring, and improved assessment systems, are starting to yield results. These efforts are helping policymakers and schools focus on the right issues.

So, what's the way forward? A stronger focus on early education is crucial. Ensuring children develop foundational literacy and numeracy skills early on can prevent dropouts later. Equally important is empowering teachers-giving them the training and support they need to deliver high-quality education, especially in rural areas. Local governments must also play a more significant role. Modernising curricula and introducing practical, vocational subjects can help students see the value of staying in school.

Transforming Nepal's education system is not a quick fix-it's a long journey that requires sustained effort and collaboration. But even small, targeted changes can make a meaningful difference. We owe it to our children to ensure their education is accessible and genuinely transformative.

THT: What three books have most inspired your views on leadership, gender equality, or cultural engagement?

KJ: First, Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo. As a fiction lover, I've always believed in the power of stories to broaden our thinking, and this novel does precisely that. It follows 12 characters-mostly Black British women-whose lives are rarely spotlighted in mainstream narratives.

For non-fiction, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's We Should All Be Feminists is must-read. It's short, accessible, and incredibly persuasive. Adichie doesn't blame or shame; she calmly lays out why gender equality benefits everyone and why it's essential for a better world. It's a call to action that'simpossible to ignore, delivered with her signature clarity and grace.

Lastly, for younger readers, I always recommend GoodnightStories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo. My children and I have read it countless times, and it never fails to inspire. The book reimagines the lives of 100 extraordinary women-from Ada Lovelace to Michelle Obama-into fairytale-like stories that empower rather than conform to traditional 'damsel-in-distress' tropes.

Each of these books, in its own way, celebrates the courage to challenge norms, push boundaries, and inspire change-a perfect trio for anyone looking to lead with purpose and inclusivity.