Our Team
our team
Individual commitment to a group effort–that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.
Meet Our Team
Niharika
Khanal
Board Member
YOSHAN team
FOUNDED IN 2019
Co-Founder
Pushpa Joshi
“Safe abortion is a human right that should be easily available and stigma-free. No one should be denied this right based on their age, marital status, gender identity, or any other background. Everyone’s choice to have an abortion should be respected regardless of the reason to have it. I am committed to challenging structural barriers that inhibit people from exercising the right to safe abortion. “
Co-Founder
Bonita Sharma
Bonita Sharma is the Co-founder and CEO of Social Changermakers and Innovators (SOCHAI) – a youth led non-profit organization. Her organization works for improving health, hygiene and nutrition status of the people, particularly women, children and girls in Nepal through innovation, education and entrepreneurship. She is also the Co-founder of YoSHAN, a youth organization working on gender issues and SRHR . Bonita holds a Bachelor degree in Public Health and a Master degree in Food and Nutrition Specialization Program from Tribhuvan University.
Bonita is listed by the BBC in the 100 most influential women of the world in 2019. She has been recognized by UNESCO as a Female Champion for educating women and girls in Nepal. She was also the winner of UNICEF Asia Pacific Youth Innovation Challenge 2016 for her idea of ‘Nutribeads’ bracelet – a low tech wearable educational tool for educating mothers about nutrition. Her organization SOCHAI was chosen as the winner of One Young World – Lead 2030 Challenge in SDG 2 Zero Hunger category in 2019.
“I believe that creating a gender just world should start from our own home and community. Through YoSHAN I strive to empower the youth, and enable them to take charge of their own sexual reproductive health rights.”
“Respecting young people’s choices regarding abortion is essential for their reproductive autonomy.”
Co-Founder
Elisha Joshi
Elisha Joshi (EJ) is passionate about conducting research and advocating on sexual and reproductive health and rights.
She received a Master’s degree in Nursing in Women Health and Development at Mahargunj Nursing Campus, Tribhuwan University, and completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS), Dharan. She is currently working as a senior research associate in Nepal Injury Research Centre. She is also serving as a founding member in YOSHAN. Additionally, she is also a Women Deliver Young leader 2018 batch. She has worked as Young Midwife Coordinator at the Midwifery Society of Nepal. EJ strongly believes that gender is a spectrum, not binary.
Co-Founder
Anjila Thapa
Anjila Thapa is a final year medical student at Maharajgunj Medical Campus, and proud to call herself a feminist. She believes hard work, dedication and surrounding yourself with the correct people can help overcome any problem! She envisions a Nepal, where every single human being is equal before the law as well as one another.
Co-Founder
Durga Sapkota
Durga Sapkota is youth health advocate, pursuing Advanced Nursing degree in Women’s Health Development. Also she is a Scholar of Law. She has more than 10 years of experience in both clinical and public health part of Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal and Adolescent health. She had been involved in dozen of Sexual and Reproductive Health Research and been doing evidence based advocacy.
Durga holds a leadership position at “Karma Health”, where young people are prototyping community-driven integrated health care models to ensure Universal Health Coverage. She was selected as one of 12 resilient frontline health care providers globally by Johnson and Johnson for her contribution to the most marginalized community through Karma Health.
She is a member of South Asian Regional Accountability (SARJAI), a network working to foster recognition of women’s reproductive rights in the region. She is also a young leader of Women Deliver and Ambassador of One Young World.
“Safe abortion is just part of health care and seeking health care is Fundamental Rights. Stigmatizing safe abortion means we are creating barriers in utilizing someone’s basic right. So, Let’s be mindful of that.”
“Every person deserves the right to make decisions about their own body, including the choice of safe abortion. Trusting young people to make informed choices empowers them to shape their futures with autonomy and dignity.”
Board Member
Shivani Rayamajhi
Shivani Rayamajhi (she/her) is a young feminist and a pro-choice healthcare provider who is passionate about inclusion in medicine and research. As an intersectional feminist relatively new to the field of medicine, she envisions a world where reproductive health services are accessible to everyone. Having worked with medical students and youth activists for 5 years, she strongly believes that the key to achieving reproductive justice is through grassroots advocacy and collective action. Although she has held positions in several organizations including Nepal Medical Students’ Society and Medical Students for Choice, her most cherished accomplishment is being a part of YoSHAN.
At YoSHAN, she fully realized the power of young people and truly internalized the essence of sisterhood and feminism, a value which she will uphold forever.
Board Member
Niharika Khanal
Niharika Khanal is a young medical professional currently serving as an Intern at Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu. With a profound commitment to feminist principles, she advocates for bodily autonomy and reproductive rights. Her journey into sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) advocacy began when she joined YoSHAN as a youth champion, later assuming a pivotal role as a board member.
She considers YoSHAN her second home and acknowledges the role the organization has played in shaping her as the individual that she is today.
Driven by her passion for empowering individuals, she focuses on sensitizing health professionals to the fundamental principles of SRHR. She believes that comprehensive understanding and integration of these principles are crucial for providing inclusive and quality healthcare services. Through her work, she strives to create a healthcare environment that respects and upholds the autonomy and dignity of every individual, regardless of their gender or background.
“Creating safe spaces for young people to express themselves, ask questions, and access information about abortion empowers them to make informed choices and advocate for their rights within their communities.”
