Our fourth edition of this year’s Beyond Victims Series brings you stories of inspiring women political leaders from Nepal.
Through this series, we are committed to move beyond victimising women in politics or seeing them as beneficiaries of reservation and rethink their role as change-makers and leaders from the grassroots to the top.
From a grassroots leader fighting caste discrimination to a youth leader who contested the Kathmandu Mayor elections. Read about them and others below.
Anjana Bishankhe
Member of Parliament
From being a member of Constituent Assembly to becoming an MP, Anjana strongly advocates for the rights of Dalits and women. During monarchy, she organised campaigns to mobilise the Dalit community and create awareness about their political participation. She fights against the patriarchy and Brahmanism within her political party and outside, raising her voice against inequality.
– She is the story, Sep 2021
Bhumi Badi
Former Ward Member, Pakharnauli, Dullu Municipality
Bhumi Badi became a voice for Badis, a marginalised indigenous group and the larger Dalit community since she got elected as Dalit Ward Representative in the Dullu Municipality. She has persistently called out caste-based discrimination in politics and the lack of institutional support to overcome it.
– Voices of Women Media, Sep 2022
Jhowa B.K
Member of Provincial Assembly, Karnali
Despite not having access to many opportunities while growing up, Jhowa rose in politics from becoming a Member of District Coordination Committee to Member of Provincial Assembly. She confidently overcomes several hurdles, including the public mockery of her Nepali language skills, of which she is not a native speaker. She continues to appear in the public sphere today raising matters of policy and governance, inspiring many from indigenous communities.
– She is the Story, Jul 2022
Ranju Darshana
Politician
Ranju Darshana inspired many youth by becoming the youngest candidate for the Mayoral post of Kathmandu Metropolitan City in 2017. She led the Media Department of Bibeksheel Nepali Party for over 4 years. She actively took part in several rescue efforts during the 2015 Nepal earthquake and protested Nepal Bandas (coordinated nationwide strikes). She advocates for youth participation in Nepali politics and has announced her candidacy for the parliamentary elections in Nov 2022.
– Khabarhub, Jul 2022
Anshu Singh
Former Deputy Mayor of Raj Devi Municipality, Rautahat district
Seeing very less women in leadership drew her to politics & contesting elections. During her tenure as Deputy Mayor, Anshu Singh engaged with the community about gender equality by organising awareness-raising events and workshops for students and local government officials. She implemented Comprehensive Sexuality Education for students, teachers and out of school young girls, especially those prone to early marriage and abuse.
– UNESCO, Mar 2021
Curated by: Prasiddhi Shrestha, Akhil Neelam
Design: Vida Seraphina (https://vidaseraphina.dk/)
Contributor: Vibhuti Sikand
Thank you for reading Beyond Victims!
This year’s Beyond Victims series will span eight editions, covering stories of inspiring women’s political leadership across South Asia. Get them in your inbox by joining our mailing list.
Women for Politics is an initiative of Centre for Gender And Politics (CGAP).
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