Beijing Women's Federation

The 2024 Her Beijing Story bilingual video series tells the story of Menuka Bhattarai, a “Mulan Girl” from Nepal coming to Beijing to pursue her studies and engage in volunteer work. Known by her Chinese name, Bai Xiaomei, her story reflects the resilience and determination symbolized by the plum blossom, as her name originates from the famous line, “A sharp sword is forged through grinding, and the fragrance of the plum blossom comes from enduring bitter cold.”

Menuka Bhattarai is among the “Mulan Girls” who have benefitted from the Mulan POWER Charity Fund (“Mulan POWER”), an initiative launched by the Beijing Women and Children Development Foundation and the Beijing Women’s International Center, under the guidance of the Beijing Women’s Federation (BWF). 

Mulan POWER is dedicated to implementing the principles of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, adopted at the 1995 World Conference on Women in Beijing. It seeks to pool resources, unite women’s power globally, foster exchanges and collaboration, and advance gender equality and women’s empowerment. 

The fund’s first project, the Nepalese Impoverished Girls’ Education Program, sponsored high school education for girls from underprivileged backgrounds. The program is supported by Chinese mothers such as Li Hongmei, providing educational opportunities to nine Nepalese girls, including Menuka Bhattarai, collectively referred to as the “Mulan Girls.”

Growing Up with Love:

Menuka Bhattarai was born in a small village in Nepal, where access to medical resources was scarce. From a young age, she dreamed of becoming a doctor, an aspiration put on hold due to her family’s financial hardships, which forced her to discontinue her high school education. Fortunately, with support from the Mulan POWER program, Menuka was able to resume her studies and learn Chinese. She began to dream of visiting China, a country whose kindness and support had shaped her journey. 

In 2022, with support from Chinese mothers, Menuka crossed the Himalayas and gained admission to the Clinical Medicine program at Capital Medical University. During her studies, she was deeply inspired by the self-respect, confidence, independence, and resilience demonstrated by Chinese women. Menuka hopes that her journey and dedication will enable her to serve as an ambassador of friendship between Nepal and China.

Moving Forward for Love:

Amid the blend of ancient tradition and modernity in Beijing Menuka Bhattarai has felt the city’s warmth, inclusiveness, and diversity, and she is eager to deepen her understanding of Beijing’s development. She volunteered at the Petroleum Symbiosis Compound in Haidian District, participating in childcare activities at a community kindergarten. She also led a dance team of elderly residents, sharing Nepali dances while learning Chinese dance in return. Through her volunteer work, Menuka experienced firsthand the thoughtful community services provided for residents of all ages and observed how the government, social organizations, and individuals work hand in hand to build a better life for all. She hopes to bring these experiences back to her hometown in Nepal, contributing to its development with the professional knowledge and practical insights she has gained during her time in China.

Her Beijing Story is a bilingual short video series that captures the experiences of women from China and around the world as they live, work, and study in Beijing. Targeting a global audience, the series authentically and objectively showcases the achievements in women’s development in Beijing and the governance practices of socialism with Chinese characteristics. 

This year’s program is produced by the Beijing Women’s International Center and the CRI Online, under the guidance of the BWF, with strong support from the Petroleum Symbiosis Compound, Capital Medical University, and the Beijing Women and Children Development Foundation. The series is being promoted across multiple Chinese and international platforms.