Ashra Kunwar, a PhD student in Environmental Sociology at the University of Florida, recently represented Nepal at the 19th International Youth for Human Rights Summit held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. She was the only Nepali delegate and speaker at the event, which brought together Nobel Peace Prize laureates, permanent UN representatives, global activists, artists, and leaders of international organizations.
From the UN stage, Kunwar addressed urgent issues facing Nepal, including the impacts of climate change and human-wildlife conflict, which disproportionately affect marginalized Nepali women. Drawing from her doctoral research at UF and previous projects in Nepal, she advocated for a multilateral, intersectional approach to tackling these challenges.
Her participation has been widely covered in Nepali media and recognized internationally. A video of her full UN speech can be viewed here