Seven women honoured with ‘She Leads Icon’

Kahmandu, Dec. 9: Seven women leaders have been honoured with 'She Leads Icon' award conferred on competitive basis by Kalpa Empower Women Nepal.

The winners of the awards in the second edition of the initiative in 2082 include one mayor, four deputy mayors and two vice-chairs. Mayor of Lamkichuha Municipality in Kailali district Sushila Shahi, and deputy mayors, Bishnu Kumari Limbu of Ilam Municipality in Ilam, Pramila Rai of Shadananda Municipality in Bhojpur, Kalpana Kumari Katuwal of Barhathwa Municipality in Sarlahi, and Bina Kumari Bhattarai of Thakurdwara Municipality in Bardiya emerged as the winning leaders. 

Similarly, two vice-chairs, Devika Kumari Singh of Kushe Rural Municipality in Jajarkot and Dolma Tamang of Saipal Rural Municipality in Bhajang are other winners. 

Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari, former chief minister Astalaxmi Shakya and former Province Chief Anuradha Koirala handed over the awards to the winners at a programme organised in Kathmandu on Monday. 

Speaking on the occasion, former President Bhandari appreciated the initiative to honour women leadership.

"It will inspire the leaders to further improve service delivery, relations with people and promote good governance at the local level that is close to the common people," she said.

Bhandari noted that women have proved their capability in diverse sectors including politics, business, sports and education. "It is our collective responsibility to promote people-oriented politics and find paths of national prosperity," she said. 

A three-member jury including Astalaxmi Shakya, Charu Chaddha and Sharu Joshi has evaluated the performance and contributions of women leaders to the society. 

Speaking on the occasion, Sharu Joshi said that women's work has been increased by six times and risk to their safety has gone up but very few recognise their contribution to various sectors of society and economy. 

Chairperson of Kalpa, Puja Koirala, said that the society must celebrate the achievements made by women leaders. "To be a woman, and be peoples' representative and having a successful career is not a small feat here," she said. 

Stating that there are only 25 women chiefs at the local levels, Gandaki Thapa Adhikari, Chair of Badigad Rural Municipality in Baglung, said, "We need to make our way with perseverance and struggle." She is one of the winners of the She Leads Icon in 2081. 

Likewise, Mamata Mahato, Vice-chair of Paterwa Sugauli Rural Municipality in Parsa, said that while as the chief of the Judicial Committees at the local bodies women have immensely contributed to justice and social harmony, local bodies led by women have less corruption and outstanding arrears. 

Several other competent women leaders were also honoured on the occasion.

Among the honoured are Mayor of Surunga Municipality Gita Chaudhary and Chair of Modi Rural Municipality Hira Devi Sharma. Five deputy mayors and 14 vice-chairs also received honours. Deputy mayors who are honoured are Hira Kumari DC of Ghorahi Sub-metropolitan City. Bidya Devi Bhujel of Dhanushadham Municipality, Bhagwati Regmi Aryal of Bhirkot Municipality, Sita Jaisi of Bheri Municipality and Padma Gurung of Besisahar Municipality. 

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Similarly, the vice-chairs of rural municipalities are Dharma Kala Shahi of Subha Kalika, Chandra Kala Adhikari of Annapurna, Nirmaya Taramu of Satyawati, Gyanu Kumari Seti Deuba of Ganyapdhura, Jamuna Kumari Bohara of Jorayal, Laxmi Dhami Rokaya of Aasarsha, and Gayatri Acharya of Melung. 

The list also includes Gokuli Kumari Regmi of Thori, Mithu Devi Lama of Lisankhu Pakhar, Maya Silwal of Ichchhakamana, Bipana Kulung of Mahakulung, Dolma Tamang of Saipal, and Sabita Rai of Thulung Dudhkoshi.