KATHMANDU: A team of 25 Nepali women leaders from diverse fields has embarked on a journey from Kathmandu to Kalapathar, aiming to spotlight the pressing issue of melting mountains due to climate change and its profound effects on local communities in the Everest region.

UNWOM’s Nepal Representative, Patricia Fernandez-Pacheco, bid farewell to the group at Tribhuvan International Airport as they set out on Thursday morning.

This initiative is organized by a social organization committed to climate change and women’s empowerment, strategically coinciding with the celebration of International Women’s Day 2024.

The team, led by Prajita Karki, plans to trek from Lukla to Kalapathar, engaging with local representatives and communities to shed light on the impact of climate change in the Everest region.

Prajita highlighted the organization’s three-year tradition of scaling the 18,519 feet high Kalapathar on International Women’s Day under the rallying cry, ‘Women United for Climate Justice.’

She emphasized the significance of interacting with experts and relevant agencies to discuss the challenges faced by Himalayan communities as the mountains melt due to climate change.

The expedition aims to explore sustainable solutions and empower women to bridge the gap between the government and communities for climate justice.

The journey, scheduled from February 17th, includes an interaction program in Syangboche on March 2.

The focus of this event will be on the ‘Empowerment of women to connect government and community for climate justice.’

The expedition will culminate in Kalapathar on March 8, where the team will draw attention to the effects of mountain melting on communities, agriculture, and tourism sectors.

This initiative follows in the footsteps of United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who recently visited Syangboche in Solukhumbu, drawing global attention to the critical issue of melting mountains.