This Saturday female-headed bands including Nattu with 11.11 NST, Mental Radio, Space, Faithom, and Somiya Baraily are coming together to celebrate women. The Butterfly Effect, organized by Sangeet Pathshala in association with Dristi Nepal, is bringing together musi­cians, celebrities, key personnel, and the general public to celebrate women and raise awareness to end gender-based violence. “With so much press about violence against women and children and with the #MeToo and #HearMeToo campaigns we felt the time was right to hold such an event,” explains Bijay Khadka, founder of Sangeet Pathshala. “We do this out of respect for women and children,” he says.

The concert will also feature Samriddhi Rai, Didi Bahini, and Superfuzz, and is the celebration phase of a bigger project to raise awareness through the contribu­tions of celebrated figures from different sectors, and, post-event, to bring skills development to women in need through the management of Dristi Nepal, an NGO working with women affected by the use of drugs and HIV/AIDS.

Aside from great music, the whole event will be inclusive and fun! The audi­ence can participate by dropping their suggestions for anti-violence against women slogans (via Sangeet Pathsha­la’s FB page). The winners will have their slogans printed on tote bags and receive gift hampers. Hampers will also be distributed on the day to lucky mem­bers of the audience. But you have to be there to win! Other souvenirs to take home include a photo booth set up to take selfies. And if you want something more permanent, Inkasm will be offering small, female-power inspired tattoos at the event, and for a few days after, for Rs 3,000. Profits from the tattoos will be given to Dristi Nepal.

The event at Tangalwood, Kathmandu, from from 3 pm onward, is free. Sup­ported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF Nepal), The Annapurna Express is the media partner for the event and proudly supports gen­der equality and equity.