KATHMANDU: A 26-minute long documentary — Bridging the Gap: English and Digital for Girls’ Education — about girls’ empowerment in Nepal, Bangladesh and India through the use of English language and technology was premiered on April 16 at Hotel Radisson, Lazimpat.

Directed by film-maker Tsering Rhitar Sherpa, it was a part of the British Council’s English and Digital for Girls’ Education (EDGE) — high-impact, human rights project .

The documentary showcases the rise of confidence level in adolescent girls from rural areas and their happy parents, where both the students and their parents are hopeful for their bright future.

In Nepal, the EDGE project ran in five districts — Kavrepalanchowk, Lalitpur, Makwanpur, Gulmi, and Arghakhanchi — from September 2015 to March 2016. Talking about the project Rhona Brown, Head of Programmes, British Council shared, “Our programme focused on raising awareness about the need of education to girls. And we have completed our first phase and we are hopeful that we will have it’s second phase where we expect the participant girls will have better access to opportunities, and are empowered through the skills they learnt from the project.”

Moreover, panel debate on ‘Girls’ Empowerment through Education: English and Digital Skills’ was held at the event. The panellist included Khagraj Baral, Director General, Department of Education; Educationist Prof Dr Bidya Nath Koirala; Senior Prof Dr Susan Acharya of Tribhuvan University and representative of Restless Development Kajal Pradhan. They discussed how cultural and social factors like menstruation, child marriage, early marriage, et cetera affect girls’ education.

“In rural areas, schools lack basic infrastructure such as toilet due to which girls prefer to stay at home rather going to schools during their menstruation. And there are teachers who demotivate girls from attending school during this period,” Pradhan expressed.

These panellists also talked about the importance of changing teaching methodologies, enhancing the quality of education and creating bridge between teachers and parents for improving quality of education. Prof Dr Koirala focused on the need of teachers’ motivation for students’ better future. And Baral pointed out that “girl students from marginalised group get to study if only those who can afford education disclaim the advantage of free education”.

The event also featured photo exhibition by photographer Thomas Kelly who captured the participants’ learning moments during EDGE project.