Pratirakshya Koirala

About Pratirakshya:

A masters student studying Geography, Pratirakshya Koirala is slated to graduate from Virginia Tech in Fall 2026. She began working with the Women and Girls in International Development as a graduate assistant August 2024. 

Pratirakshya assists the director of WGD in planning, promoting and organizing WGD discussion series and post event activities like transcription. She helps conduct literature searches and extract reference lists for gender and development research topics.

An Interview with Pratirakshya:

• What are you looking forward to during your time with the WGD program?
  I am looking forward to deepening my understanding of gender dynamics in international development and contributing to meaningful research that bring changes to people’s lives. Through my work supporting WGD team, I am excited to engage in interdisciplinary collaborations and develop new skills in research and project development. This experience will not only expand my knowledge but also enhance my ability to translate academic insights into real-world impacts.
  
  
• What do you hope to do after graduating or what are you doing now?
  I am currently pursuing a Master of Science in Geography. After graduating, I wish to work in the field of natural resource management integrating gender dynamics in sustainable resource use.
  
  
• How will your work with the WGD program influence your future?
  My work with the WGD program will significantly shape my future by equipping me with a deeper understanding of how gender dynamics intersect with development, particularly in the context of sustainable resource management. The hands-on experience in conducting research and engaging in interdisciplinary collaborations will provide me with critical skills that I can apply in future roles, whether in academia, development organizations, or policy-making institutions. This experience will strengthen my ability to approach development challenges with a gender-sensitive lens and help me create research and projects that contribute to more fair and meaningful participation. Ultimately, it will enable me to drive initiatives that empower marginalized groups, ensuring that women's perspectives are well understood and supported in all sustainable development efforts.