Quick questions with Sabin Rai
Q. A question you wish more people would ask?
A. How have you been?
Q. Your alternate career choice?
A. Gardener.
Q. One thing you do to cheer yourself up?
A. Find solitude.
Q. Most misunderstood thing about you?
A. I am not cute.
Q. Thing people would be surprised to know about you?
A. I can Eat!
Q. Your best and worst purchase?
A. Best: lungi. Worst: weighing machine
Q. If you could have coffee with one Nepali celebrity, who would it be?
A. KP Oli. Is he a celebrity? haha
Q. Best compliment you have received?
A. I inspire them to be REAL. Thank you!
Q. An advice you would give to your younger self?
A. Jos ma Hos naharaunu
Q. Your man crush?
A. Morgan Freeman, forever.
Women-only electoral constituencies need of the hour
As a federal lawmaker, how satisfied are you with women’s representation in political parties and the state apparatus?
First of all, we have to think why women’s representation is important. We have a patriarchic society that is both discriminatory and violent toward women. Though plenty of women are involved in political, economic, cultural and other areas, they are denied appropriate pay and position. In this sense, discrimination and inequality are pervasive. Women lag behind in every sector though there is equal contribution of both sexes in all sectors. Additionally, it is hard for women to assume leadership roles.
Our culture does not accept women’s leadership, even though men and women have played equal roles in bringing about social and democratic changes. Directly or indirectly, women have played an encouraging role in all political movements and revolutions in Nepal. Yet the social attitude to women remains unchanged.
What do you think accounts for this static social attitude?
Until there is 50 percent representation of women, there will be no meaningful development in Nepal. Many countries have guaranteed women’s prominent presence in politics as well as in social and economic sectors. The honesty and commitment of women have been proven to contribute to development and prosperity the world over. Let us not talk about equality only on political front. Women’s prominent roles are equally important in economic and cultural spheres.
Talking about political representation, not one of the four national parties has enough women in their decision-making organs.
The new law has made representation of 33 percent women mandatory in all structures of political parties. In line with the new law, parties, including mine, have already amended their statutes. Other political parties should follow suit.
This provision of 33 percent repesentation should be effectively implemented in all state organs. Be it the Public Service Commission, the army, or any other political appointments, the provision must be honored. Let us develop an effective mechanism to ensure that this happens. Even in the parliament, women have proven their leadership after being sent there in three periodic elections since the first Constituent Assembly (CA) election in 2008. Yet political parties are still reluctant to give them prominent roles.
As you hinted, there aren’t enough women in top decision-making levels, be it in the federal parliament or the local bodies. Does the old patriarchal mindset account for the paucity?
There is low representation of women in core decision-making levels in the parliament and the political parties. As a result, women in other areas have also been deprived of adequate representation as guaranteed by our laws and the constitution. For this to change, there should be greater representation of women in the cabinet, party offices and their committees responsible for selecting electoral candidates. We have discussed women’s representation enough. Now let us talk about their meaningful representation.
Keeping women away from decision-making is also depriving them of leadership skills. This is happening due to the patriarchal mindset. Again, our society still does not accept women in leadership roles.
The current government seems to be using different yardsticks while evaluating the rights of men and women
As you said, implementation of key legal and constitutional provisions has been weak. Who do you think is responsible?
Those who need change the most must be in decision-making levels. In Nepal, women from Madhesi, Dalit and other marginalized communities are still badly discriminated against and they are far from decision-making levels. The parliament, the government and the political parties are not giving enough attention to their issues.
We have to have a separate strategy to combat the patriarchal mindset. For this, the support of all sections of the society is needed. For effective implementation of legal and constitutional provisions, women should take leadership, which in turn should be supported by the society at large and other institutions.
What efforts are being made to end discrimination against women? What about the resistance to those efforts?
When we raise women’s issues, we don’t get encouraging support. But there is also a compulsion to implement legal and constitutional obligations. This has, to an extent, broken the hold of the patriarchal mindset and women are getting new rights on citizenship and parental property for instance. Similarly, many women-friendly laws are being endorsed by the parliament. Yet there has been little progress in ensuring social security of women because government policies, programs and funding mechanisms are discriminatory.
Are you suggesting the Oli government is not women-friendly?
Yes. The lawmaking process is moving ahead, as guided by the constitution. Discussions are underway on amendment of the Citizenship Act to ensure citizenship under mother’s name. The problem is that the current government seems to be using different yardsticks while evaluating the rights of men and women. This is why many discriminatory laws remain.
What one step will have the biggest impact in terms of levelling the playing field between men and women?
To ensure women’s leadership, we have to embrace the concept of separate electoral constituencies for them. This will make women’s leadership more acceptable as people will vote exclusively for women candidates. We can for instance set aside 33 percent of the constituencies for women. Let us have this provision for two or three elections.After that they can be phased out.
We will never be able to see women in leadership roles until we create women-only constituencies. Again, this is the only way to ensure that women’s leadership is accepted. Now there is criticism that women, who are mostly serving as deputies in local levels, have failed to perform. But how could they carry out this challenging role without any preparation? To start with, why weren’t they adequately trained?
Expect more women decision makers in banking
Mega Bank Limited Nepal, which started its operation in July 2010, is now one of the most prestigious financial institutions in the country with an authorized capital of Rs 11.5 billion, issued capital of Rs 10.57 billion and paid-up capital of Rs 10.38 billion. A national level Class “A” commercial bank, Mega currently has 102 branches, 19 extension counters and 86 ATMs throughout the country in addition to 119 Branchless Banking (BLB) outlets and 2,300+ Mega Remit agents.
Also known to have a higher female to male ratio of employees than most of its competitors, Mega Bank appointed veteran banker Anupama Khunjeli as its CEO in April 2018, making her the first female CEO of a Class “A” bank in Nepal. Khunjeli, who started her career in the Grindlays Bank (now Standard Chartered) in 1991 and has been a part of Mega since its pre-inception, talks to Sunny Mahat of APEX about her almost three-decade long banking career.
As a woman, how is the experience of being in a top management position of a commercial bank?
I believe it is the same for men and women—you have to put in a lot of hard work, recognize the opportunities when they knock your door, and yes, being dedicated is the most important thing. But first, you have to enjoy your job. Give your best every day to achieve your goals and nothing will be difficult for you.
Is there a difference between how management treats its male and female employees in the banking fraternity?
That ‘difference’ is there and we cannot change it overnight. You see one female CEO after several decades of commercial banking in the country. That in itself shows where we stand in terms of opportunities to females. It has been a tough journey for women, and there sure is differentiation. We will take some time in coming out with the message that women are capable of taking up decision-making roles. I also believe that for women, their families have to be very supportive. We need as much support at home, as we support the men who go out to work.
What prompted you into taking banking as a career and what has kept you motivated for so long?
I was a commerce graduate and joined my first bank because I liked how banking touched so many lives. Everyone has financial matters—be it borrowing, lending, saving or investing. As a banker, you’re reaching out to each and every Nepali. Now that the country is striving for economic prosperity, especially when we are moving towards political stability, the job gets more interesting.
At Mega Bank, our vision has always been to reach non-banking populous across the country. When you see the economic upliftment of people with scarce resources and you know you’ve touched their lives, you get motivated to work every day. That is what kept me in banking so long.
My complete dedication to the job and my ability to bounce back from failures have kept me going.
As a dedicated banker, how do you maintain your work-life balance?
This is one question that arises every time. I believe that if you want to be successful in your career, you have to give time to the job you’re doing. And for that, your family needs to be supportive. There’s no doubt that banking requires long hours and you cannot achieve whatever you’re determined to without the family’s unending support.
My family has always been supportive and understanding, thus making me comfortable in this demanding profession. I also make sure I spend time with them whenever possible.
What suggestions would you give to prospective candidates who want to enter banking?
I know a lot of commerce graduates want to join banking because it has evolved as a prestigious career with respectable pay and job security.
But first, I would like to tell them—make sure you take a job that you would want to continue and be prepared to put in a lot of time, effort and hard work. Also make sure you enjoy working. Every morning you come to office, you should come fresh, energetic and you should be able to do what your organization is asking of you. You should be able to match your goals with your organization’s goals. Be ready to contribute to the betterment of the organization.
How has Mega Bank maintained a health number of female employees compared to other banks?
When Mega started, 60 percent of our employees were women. The ratio has changed a little due to recent mergers but are proud to have three women, including me, at the top decision making level.
Right now, whenever we try to recruit new employees, we see more female applicants. I think the men have left the country. (Laughs.) The women have stayed behind and want to join the prestigious banking fraternity. Women want to be bankers and the way we look at it, we will probably see more women decision-makers in banking in near future.
Quick questions with Lemi Tamang
Q. What is the most difficult part of your job?
A. Waking up early and working long hours.
Q. Who was your most famous (or the most memorable) client?
A. Disha Patani.
Q. Which country do you like working in the most?
A. India.
Q. Who is your make-up icon?
A. Pat McGrath.
Q. Worst part about your job?
A. There’s nothing bad about my job as I don’t take it as a job. It’s something that I would love to do every day. I will never get tired of it.
Q. Favorite makeup brand?
A. I have a long list but Charlotte Tilbury is on my top list.
Q. What is the biggest project you’ve been a part of?
A. Pantene campaign for billboard and ad, and Faces Canada.
Q. Your alternate career choice?
A. Something related to art, maybe a fine artist, painter or fashion designer.
Q. What are you proud of but never have an excuse to talk about?
A. How I struggled in Mumbai and then in Nepal when I started. I’m proud of myself for facing challenges and becoming the strong woman I am today.
