Kathmandu, May 15: Shequal Foundation has organised Nepal’s Largest All-female Hackathon, “Hacking for Empowered Nepal” from May 11th to 13th, 2024, bringing together 60 women participants passionate about technology and innovation from diverse backgrounds and provinces across Nepal. Held in association with Teslatech Nepal and supported by the U.S. Embassy, Nepal and UN Women, the residential hackathon that lasted for 72 hours was part of a celebration of inclusiveness in technology.
These talented women showcased their creativity and technical skills by developing innovative solutions and coding tirelessly. The competition provided a platform for skill development and collaboration and fostered a sense of camaraderie and empowerment among the participants, according to the organisers.
The success of the hackathon was a result of the support of additional sponsors and partners, including The British College and Global Compact Nepal. and witnessed by Chief Guests from the U.S. Embassy and UN Women.
The hackathon had a dynamic blend of activities, ranging from engaging workshops to light-hearted moments of fun and networking. As the event progressed into its second day, participants were introduced to interact with industry experts who served as mentors, offering invaluable guidance and insights to support their projects and aspirations.
On the final day, Team PhysioNep finished first, and received a cash prize of Rs 1,00,000. They offered a solution in the physiotherapy process through angle detection. Similarly, team Poshan Sathi came first runner-up with a cash prize of Rs 75,000. They offered a way out to empowering Nepal through nutrition. Team LadyBugs stood second runner-up, and bagged a cash prize of Rs 50,000. They created a cervix type identifier.
On the occasion, Astha Sharma, Founder and Co-Managing Director of Shequal Foundation, expressed her delight at the success of the hackathon, emphasising how participants demonstrated their creativity and technical skills while addressing pressing issues in Nepal through their innovative solutions.
She highlighted that the event not only served as a platform for women to enhance their coding abilities but also fostered a supportive and empowering environment for collaboration and learning. She further emphasised that initiatives like these are integral to Shequal Foundation’s mission of driving gender diversity and empowerment in the tech industry, thereby paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable future.
