Shristi Kolakshyapati

As the Senior Officer for Regional Partnerships and Impact for Asia, Shristi supports the development and implementation of the Girls Not Brides strategy for the region, with a particular emphasis on movement-building and learning for impact. She is also responsible for assessing, monitoring and documenting policy developments, research, and opportunities in the region. She acts as the focal point for Nepal and up to two other countries in the region, and works on establishing partnerships and taking collective action with other movements to address child, early, and forced marriage (CEFM) and advance the rights of girls and women.

Shristi is an advocate for women's and children's rights with more than ten years of experience in the fields of women's human rights defender, the prevention of gender-based violence, women's labour migration, the fight against human trafficking and modern-day slavery in Nepal, the abolition of child marriage, vulnerable and marginalised groups, evidence-based advocacy, and the forming and strengthening of alliances. Her greatest interest is to work for gender equality from a rights-based approach with the goal of creating equal opportunities for girls, women and marginalised groups so that all gender groups can enjoy their rights and live with dignity.

Shristi has previously worked with the National Alliance for Women Human Rights Defenders, the Women's Rehabilitation Centre (WOREC), the Rural Health and Education Service Trust, and the International Labour Organisation in Nepal. To promote stronger national laws and policies on domestic violence, anti-rape laws, labour migration governance, valuation and recognition of women's care work and domestic work, gender equality, and women's empowerment initiatives, she closely collaborated with national and international networks, coalitions, civil society organisations, government agencies and parliamentarians.

Shristi holds a Master’s in Social Work. She lives in Kathmandu, Nepal, and is fluent in both English and Nepali. She also understands Hindi and Newari language.