Red Tika challenge takes internet by storm
By Himalayan
Times, 20 February 2017. Taking Nepal’s social media by storm is the Tika
Challenge wherein women are posting pictures of themselves, wearing red
clothes, to stand in solidarity with widows.
Times, 20 February 2017. Taking Nepal’s social media by storm is the Tika
Challenge wherein women are posting pictures of themselves, wearing red
clothes, to stand in solidarity with widows.
Lily Thapa, Founder of Women for Human Rights, Nepal
The Facebook challenge
to bring down the stigma associated with widows, who have to dress only in
white after their husband’s death, has gained a lot of traction among young
women in the last ten days.
to bring down the stigma associated with widows, who have to dress only in
white after their husband’s death, has gained a lot of traction among young
women in the last ten days.
With more than 60,000
youths taking up the challenge, Lily Thapa, the founder of Women for Human
Rights, is overwhelmed by the response. The color red symbolizes passion and
life so our culture prohibits widows from wearing anything red.
youths taking up the challenge, Lily Thapa, the founder of Women for Human
Rights, is overwhelmed by the response. The color red symbolizes passion and
life so our culture prohibits widows from wearing anything red.
“Women are forced to
wear only white attire, which I believe takes a toll on their beauty. So, the
main aim of this campaign is to change that mentality, says Lily. Kicking off
the challenge.” Thapa herself shared her picture on Facebook in a red salwar
kameez, asking people to join in, If you are with me and with all single women
(widows), please participate by wearing a red tika and share your picture with
the hashtag #redtikachallenge
wear only white attire, which I believe takes a toll on their beauty. So, the
main aim of this campaign is to change that mentality, says Lily. Kicking off
the challenge.” Thapa herself shared her picture on Facebook in a red salwar
kameez, asking people to join in, If you are with me and with all single women
(widows), please participate by wearing a red tika and share your picture with
the hashtag #redtikachallenge
According to the latest
census, six per cent of women in Nepal are widows.
census, six per cent of women in Nepal are widows.
Uma Thapa, communication
officer of WHR and a widow, says, “We’ve been facing a lot of discrimination in
society. So this is the time to break those notions and pave the way for the
younger generation to live free from these primitive rules,”
officer of WHR and a widow, says, “We’ve been facing a lot of discrimination in
society. So this is the time to break those notions and pave the way for the
younger generation to live free from these primitive rules,”
The campaign wants to
drive home the message that the marital status of a woman should not decide
which colour she can or cannot wear, emphasizes Lily. Color is purely a
woman’s choice. Society should not dictate it.”
drive home the message that the marital status of a woman should not decide
which colour she can or cannot wear, emphasizes Lily. Color is purely a
woman’s choice. Society should not dictate it.”
