Meet the business women of Nepal
For these women it's not just about paving the way for other women to be successful in business, it's about improving the lives of all women in Nepal. We find out about these business women's backgrounds, who or what inspired them, what they have achieved and the challenges they have faced in the male-dominated business world. We find out about their work, their future plans and their advice to help other women in the country.
Ambica Shrestha
Ambica is the president of the Dwarika’s Group of Hotels and Resorts. Originally from Sikkim, India she came to Kathmandu, Nepal in 1995. She has been an influential figure in tourism, making it possible for others to find work within this sector.
She was the first woman that made it possible for women to receive loans and funding from the banks. She was awarded Decoration of The Cross of the Order of Civil Merit by His Majesty the King Juan Carlos I, Spain and was voted as one of the 50 most influential women of Nepal by The Boss business magazine in 2005.
Download the interview with Ambica
Ram Kali
Ram took a training course in Kathmandu that was based around women’s skill development. She began to train women and improve their basic skills. After marriage, she was employed as a government employee in the women’s training centre in Pokhara. She was then able to establish her own organization: Women’s Skill Development Organisation (WSDO) to help economically empower women. WSDO provides women with free vocational skills training, such as material cutting, sewing, weaving, business management, and various other handicraft related skills, to help them become self-supportive. Ram Kali is also a founding member of World Fair Trade Nepal.
Download the interview with Ram
Rita Thapa
Rita is widely recognised for her ground-breaking work in founding TEWA. She has over thirty-five years’ experience as a feminist educator and community activist, initiating and supporting institutions for women's empowerment and for peace. Rita also founded and led Nagarik Aawaz, an initiative for conflict transformation and peace-building in Nepal. In recognition of this exceptional "innovative contribution to the public good,"
Rita received the rare honour of being named an Ashoka Fellow. She served as a past board member and chair of the Global Fund for Women and the Urgent Action Fund. In 2005, she was included in the 1000 Women for Peace Nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. She also served on the Board of the Global Fund for Community Foundation (GFCF) and the South Asian Women's Fund (SWAF).
The Three Sisters
The Three Sisters have establised the 3 Sisters Adventure Trekking Company which provides professional female trekking guides. Their work has been awarded and recognised internationally. They have been awarded with the National Geographic Ashoka Changemakers 2008 Geotourism Award, the Clinton Global Initiative Commitment Certificate from Former US President Clinton in 2008, Travel and Leisure Global Vision Award on Economic Development, and the Best Trekking Agency of Pokhara 2007 Award by the Ministry of Nepal Culture and Tourism. The sisters have also founded The Empowering Women of Nepal organisation which pioneered the promotion of female trekking guides in the Himalayas. The three sisters have been working to improve the lives of disadvantaged women in Nepal by providing better opportunities for them.
Download the interview with the Three Sisters
Laxmi Sharma
Being illiterate and a divorcee, Laxmi faced many difficulties in her life. When the money she was earning was not enough to support her she took out a loan to buy an auto-rickshaw. This proved profitable and she managed to buy more auto-rickshaws which she leased out to drivers. She then learned to fix the mechanical and technical problems that the drivers often complained about and started to drive one herself. Years later, she was formally recognized by the government of Nepal as “The First Nepalese Woman Auto-Rickshaw Driver”. Some members of the community insulted and harassed her because she was a female driving an auto-rickshaw. Later, she devoted her skills to the handicraft sector and undertook training in India. Today she runs the Button Palace helping many disadvantaged people earn a living.
Download the interview with Laxmi Sharma
Beni Rani Ghale
Beni was born in one of the rural villages of Dhading district in Tipling VDC. She completed her education up to grade 12 from Gramin Campus, Nepaltar. Before joining formal education she attended adult education which was practiced in her village. She had an opportunity to work through Himalayan Health and Care and trained to be a health worker and worked for several health centers.
She is now founder of Beni Handicrafts which provides income generation skills to hundreds of women in Kathmandu. It creates job opportunities to women who are the victims of domestic violence in order for them to become self-dependent.
She is also the president of Step Foundation Nepal, a non-profitable organisation.
"All women, whether we are educated or not, should be able to stand on our own feet. There are many ups and down in life, but you should continue on your journey and you will definitely reach your goal."
