Centre for Media Freedom

University topper in Journalism and Mass Communication, Ms. Sharada Rijal has over 15 years of experience in broadcast journalism and development projects. She started her career as a radio journalist in 2000 and worked with Radio Sagarmatha as correspondent/program producer for eight years. She then moved to United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) and worked there on issues including peace building, conflict management, Nepal’s peace process, social justice etc. Later, she was transferred to United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to oversee development communication projects. During her stint with UNICEF, she produced hundreds of in-depth radio programs, feature stories, radio magazines, conducted several interviews on issues such as peace building process, GESI, state’s accountability, human rights, governance, service delivery system at local levels etc.

Participating in short courses, exchange programs, seminars and study tours in the US, Canada, Pakistan and India on various occasions, Ms. Rijal has extensively worked with local/national media, national/international government and non-government agencies especially on development communication projects. After completing UNICEF projects, she was appointed as a Communication Expert for “Kathmandu Valley Water Supply Improvement Project” implemented by the Ministry of Water Supply and Sanitation with support from Asian Development Bank (ADB). While working with the Ministry, she planned, designed, and implemented Information, Communication and Education (IEC) strategies and also prepared and implemented GESI Action Plan for the project.

Ms. Rijal was appointed as a project coordinator for celebrating World Press Freedom day in collaboration with and support from UNESCO, Kathmandu office and successfully completed orientation sessions in five different colleges/universities in Kathmandu among mass communication students and a national seminar on the themes of “Independent Journalism, Gender Equality and Media Safety in the Digital Age”.

She has also worked for United Nations Development Program (UNDP) as a communication consultant. She worked for the project “Media Campaign for Women in Constitution Making Process” where she handled the responsibility of conducting media monitoring, report writing, media interactions among editors, reporters, and advocacy on gender and social inclusion issues and constitution building process.

With special focus on development communication, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion, she has also obtained an extensive GESI master training and has worked as GESI trainer for different government/national and international development agencies. In addition to Journalism and Mass Communication, she has completed Masters in Sociology and Anthropology as well. She is a board member of CMF.