Advocating for rights, exploring the world, painting stories — one mountain at a time.
My work sits at the intersection of public health, lived experience, and storytelling. The focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights is shaped by working closely with communities where access, dignity, and autonomy are still deeply unequal. Through research, advocacy, and creative expression, the aim is to make public health more inclusive, visible, and grounded in real lives.
"I believe in advocacy that is as bold as the mountains I climb."
Manisha Thapa is a young ecofeminist and licensed public health professional with 5+ years of experience in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), menstrual health, gender equality, climate justice, and adolescent health — working primarily in Nepal.
She currently serves as Program Lead at Unity for Change (UFC) in Kathmandu, where she leads menstrual rights and SRHR advocacy programs, including research on menstrual discrimination among transmen in Nepal. She also serves on the Board of CliMates Nepal as Empowerment Director.
A 2025 ICFP Youth Trailblazer Awardee recognized by the International Conference on Family Planning, she has contributed to multiple research publications, led USAID and SAAF-funded programs, represented youth voices across six provinces of Nepal, and participated in international fellowships and conferences across Asia and beyond.
She is a certified Abortion Artist Fellow (Make In Roads) and a Women of the South Speak Out (WOSSO) Fellow. Self-taught in the visual arts, she has performed as a live artist at Ministry of Health events and uses painting and storytelling as tools of advocacy. She is currently applying to MPH programs at US universities for Fall 2027.
Capabilities spanning research, advocacy, and creative practice.
This portfolio is a curated collection of work across research, advocacy, and storytelling. It highlights not just roles and outputs, but the intent, impact, and learning behind each contribution.
Selected work across research, advocacy, and field engagement.
Contributions across research, policy, and advocacy writing.
Comprehensive assessment of menstrual health infrastructure and practices in Kathmandu Valley schools, examining gaps in access and dignity for students.
Read ReportIEC publication examining patterns and drivers of contraceptive discontinuation among young people in Nepal, developed under the USAID-funded PACE Project.
Read PublicationKey recommendations on SRHR, gender equality, and climate action from regional SDG review mechanisms and commitments from Government of Nepal officials.
Read BriefIssues and recommendations from youth consultations across six provinces of Nepal on family planning access and youth-friendly services.
Read DocumentAn examination of menstrual discrimination faced by transmen in Nepal, contributing to a more inclusive understanding of menstrual health and rights.
Read ArticleA reflection on youth-led advocacy work for safe abortion access in Nepal, published on the SAAF platform as part of the YAAY project.
Read BlogConversations, panels, and public-facing work.
Manisha is a solo traveler who has explored diverse landscapes across Nepal and beyond — trekking through remote mountain regions, attending international conferences across Asia and Africa, and immersing herself in cultures that deepen her understanding of the communities she advocates for. Her travel is rooted in curiosity, sustainability, and reflection rather than tourism alone.
Through travel and participation in international fellowships and conferences in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Rwanda, Colombia, and beyond, she connects local realities with global public health conversations. Her storytelling through visuals, writing, and digital platforms brings together personal experience and broader social narratives — making the political personal and the personal political.
Manisha documents the world through a sustainable, feminist lens — solo treks through the Himalayas, culture deep-dives, and honest dispatches from the frontlines of global health conferences. Her digital presence reflects work at the intersection of travel, identity, and advocacy. She shares stories of solo travel, sustainable living, and public health awareness, combining personal narrative with social impact. Her Instagram bridges the geographic and ideological, inviting followers into both landscapes.
A quick reference for those reviewing Manisha's profile for graduate admissions, partnerships, or fellowship opportunities.
Download Resume / CVTHE VASTNESS OF MOTHER NATURE CAN NEVER BE PRAISED ENOUGH.
Whether it's collaboration on public health projects, media inquiries, travel stories, or just a good conversation — the inbox is open.
email@gmail.com