‘You cannot go out.’ ‘You cannot go there.’ ‘You must stay at home.’ ‘You are just a girl.’ But even the wings of a butterfly make a sound. Listen closely. Can you perceive a small change leading to a big difference? That’s the Butterfly Effect.

On Dec 8 at Tangalwood premises, Sangeet Pathshala, in association with NGO Dristi Nepal, joined the global #HearMeToo campaign, to advocate for dialogue and change with regards to gender based violence, sexuality, and human rights by bringing together female-headed bands in the Celebration Phase of the Butterfly Effect.

I ask Bijay Khadka, the founder of Sangeet Pathshala, why they chose to do this event now. “For a long time we had wanted to do an event featuring female-led groups to celebrate womanhood. With so much in the press about violence against women and children, we felt the time was right to celebrate women speaking out against gender violence and supporting other women,” says Khadka. 

This feeling—women speaking out for themselves—was shouted loudly over and over from the stage… “We are here to show how strong and determined we [females] can be and we think music is the best language to spread awareness,” affirmed Dikshya Tamang of from Faithom band at the event. The audience roared back in agreement.

With music from their first album I/Eye, Space rocked Tangalwood. I ask the band members why they participated in the Butterfly Effect. “We feel that since everybody is busy with their own lives, only a few people notice the prevalence of violence against women and girls in society and try to make a change. We feel happy that people are coming together for this cause and most of all, it is being done through music and not violent protests. This event is perfectly in line with the feelings we try to convey in our music.”

Naturally, men were on stage too and one of the organizers, Pranay Subba, bassist of Superfuzz, is walking the walk, being in a female headed band. Says Tenzing Hyolmo ‘Yang’, the vocalist with the band, “We are very positive but are aware one event cannot make it [gender violence] vanish.”  

Mental Radio are perhaps not a household name, but for those who support, or follow social causes, this band is synonymous with people using music to raise awareness of mental health issues and other causes. “What is commendable about this event is that it is being organized by dedicated male musicians who believe in empowering female musicians, and Dristi Nepal, which is run by dedicated female activists. When you recognize an issue, regardless of your gender, and work together, that’s when real change happens,” says Garima Gurung, vocalist, Mental Radio.

Newly back from their Nepal tour, Nattu with 11.11 NST brought the house down with their pop-rock originals. I ask them what inspired them to participate, and the band explains that “it is our duty not only as humans but also as humane individuals… to support the betterment and safety of the female gender in our country”.

Also on stage were Somiya Baraily; Didi Bahini (women kicking ass with traditional instruments!); Samriddhi Rai, and Dissonance. Dissonance consists of kids from Nawa Asha Griha, an organization for street kids and children from broken homes. Getting lessons from KJC, among others, Dissonance have played in Women in Concert and WOW. Nepal’s youth walking the walk! 

The final phase in the Butterfly Effect is to work with urban and rural communities throughout the country, raising awareness on GBV and orientating women and girls and their communities. This will take place under the management of Dristi Nepal.

“Women who use drugs and women living with HIV are judged because of their drug use and status and this stigma is one of the major hindrances preventing women receiving services and being reintegrated (in society). Women from this hidden group are violated by partners, families and even community members. However, these women are not the exception when it comes to gender based violence. Through this event I believe we have conveyed the message: end the gender based violence,” says Parina Subba Limbu, Executive Director, Dristi Nepal.  

But this is just the beginning. The musicians agree they are willing to further promote the cause of women and girls through their music. In fact, Mental Radio said, “we are open to a possible partnership regarding the correlation between gender based violence and mental health issues.” As for the Butterfly Effect, “this will be an annual event and we hope to expand it beyond Kathmandu, involving artists from other parts of the country and including different genres of music. We want to keep contributing to Dristi Nepal to ensure they can continue to raise awareness and find solutions to end violence against women,” says Khadka, Sangeet Pathshala. For further information and possible collaboration, contact Bijay Khadka on 9849181518. 

The event is supported by the Chaudhary Foundation, United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime (UNODC) and the Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF Nepal).  The Annapurna Express is the media partner and proudly supports gender equality and equity.