First all-Nepali women expedition set to climb Mt. Qomolangma

KATHMANDU, April 13 (Xinhua) -- The first all-women Nepali expedition is set to climb Mt. Qomolangma (Sagarmatha) to draw the world's attention to gender equality, women empowerment and the effects of climate change in the Himalayas.

They are setting out to the Sagarmatha Base Camp for this purpose on Monday, Nepal's National News Agency RSS reported Sunday.

RSS said that the expedition consists of 10 women, representing a range of castes and ethnic groups in Nepal. The climbers said they will climb the world highest peak to show that they are "equally skilled, courageous and strong" as male climbers.

Through their noble endeavor, the expedition members will also try to raise awareness about the million of children who go to school hungry in Asia.

The expedition will carry a MDG 3 (United Nations Millennium Development Goal 3) banner, handed over Sunday by Ambassador of Denmark to Nepal Finn Thilsted.

The Embassy of Denmark announced at a press conference that it will give 25,000 U.S. dollars to the expedition. The United Nations Development Program and the United Nations World Food Program have also extended their support to the expedition.

"We hope that the expedition will be successful in unfurling the banner at the summit of Sagarmatha. We very much look forward to getting pictures of the banner at the top of the world which will be a strong symbol of the empowerment of all women throughout the world," Danish ambassador Thilsted said.