In collaboration with Tewa and the Institute for Integrated Development Studies (IIDS), a report titled “Elected Women’s Access to Leadership in Local Governance” was launched, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for women representatives at the ward level. The event brought together policymakers, researchers, and key stakeholders to discuss the report's findings and implications.

Swarnim Wagle, Chairperson of IIDS, opened the program with his remarks, emphasizing how the report resonated with him, particularly in its insights on token representation and the systemic barriers that elected women face in leadership roles.

A panel discussion followed, moderated by Arjun Thapa, featuring distinguished panelists Sumana Shrestha, Sharu Joshi Shrestha, Mamata Mahato, and Minendra Rijal. The discussion focused on policy interventions, societal perceptions, and strategies to strengthen women’s leadership in local governance. Sumana Shrestha, a Member of Parliament, emphasized, “To challenge the dominance faced by women, they need to be active and participate in every sector.” Sharu Joshi Shrestha, a gender and social inclusion expert, stressed the importance of selecting well-informed and educated candidates. She highlighted the need for training programs to equip candidates with a clear understanding of their responsibilities and roles. Mamata Mahato, Vice-chairperson of Paterwa Sugauli Rural Municipality, pointed out the challenges women face in re-entering leadership roles. She noted that since most higher-ranking officials are male, it is difficult for women to voice their needs and concerns effectively. Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya, chief election commissioner emphasized electoral reforms to enhance women’s political impact in Nepal. Despite increased representation, systemic barriers like restrictive ticket distribution and inadequate capacity-building hinder progress.