Meet 12 women who have led Nepali missions abroad

KATHMANDU: Ambassadors serve as the diplomatic representatives abroad and are responsible for promoting and protecting the interests of their country and its citizens. They work to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, negotiate treaties and agreements, and promote economic, cultural, and scientific cooperation.

The role of an ambassador is crucial in maintaining peaceful and constructive relationships between countries. They play an important role in shaping foreign policy and ensuring that their country’s interests are represented and protected.

A majority of ambassadorial appointments in Nepal’s 88-year of diplomatic history are men. Only 12 women have had the opportunity to serve as ambassadors. Some other women diplomats have also had the chance to serve as acting ambassadors.

The United States was the first country to appoint a female ambassador to Nepal. In 1966, Carol Laise became the US Ambassador to Nepal and served during the tenures of two US Presidents. Interestingly, she got married while serving in Nepal. Upon returning to the US, Laise became America’s first female Assistant Secretary of State. During her stay in Nepal until 1973, Laise also worked towards uplifting women in the country. Since then, the US has appointed five female ambassadors to Nepal.

Nepal, on the other hand, has sent a limited number of women to its foreign missions. This is due in part to the low representation of women in the foreign service. Two decades ago, Nepal had only two officers in the foreign service, one of whom was Ambika Luitel Manandhar, who later became an ambassador, and the other was an assistant-level staff member.

Bindeshwari Shah is Nepal’s first female ambassador. Her boldness is still admired in diplomatic circles. She joined the foreign service after working for a US organization and was appointed Nepal’s ambassador to India during the Panchayat era.

“I was the only woman in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at that time. However, I have since heard that many capable women have joined the foreign service, and I am delighted to know that they are doing well,” she had shared her experience a few years ago.

Shah believes that women have a greater sensitivity toward work. Since diplomacy involves sensitivity, she suggested that the role of women should be increased in this domain. “In the past, no one would listen to us. However, now I understand that more than a dozen women have entered the service at the same time,” she had mentioned 12 years ago, referring to the recruitment of 28 officers in the foreign service, half of whom were women.

Ambika Luintel Manandhar was the second woman officer to join the foreign service after Shah. Similarly, Sewa Lamsal joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an under secretary 12 years ago. She applied for the post while working with the Agricultural Development Bank Ltd. There was an internal competition between Ambika and Sewa for the promotion to joint secretary, and Sewa was ultimately promoted to the position. She became the second woman after Shah to hold the rank of joint secretary.

Ambika was later promoted to joint secretary and was deputed to France as the Nepali ambassador. She took retirement seven years ago. Sewa has served as the deputy chief at Nepal’s permanent mission to New York. Following her return from New York, she led the Nepali mission in Islamabad as the ambassador. Currently, she heads the UN Division at the ministry and also serves as the spokesperson. She is set to become the first woman to hold the position of foreign secretary.

Rita Dhital has also been promoted to joint secretary. She is the first Nepali woman to become a director at the SAARC Secretariat.

Currently, over 60 women are serving in various positions at the foreign ministry. The number is increasing with every passing year.

Recently, there has been a growing trend of appointing outsiders rather than career diplomats as ambassadors. This is important because even women from other sectors can now take up ambassadorial positions.

Himal Press has compiled a list of women who have served as Nepal’s ambassadors for different countries.

Career Diplomats:
Bindeshwari Shah: Shah became the Nepalese ambassador to India in April, 1988. She was serving as the ambassador when India imposed a blockade before the people’s movement of 1990. With the restoration of multiparty democracy, the government recalled Shah. Since then, political figures have been sent to Nepali missions in India.

Ambika Devi Luitel Manandhar: Ambika is also a former ambassador from the foreign service. She served as Nepal’s ambassador to France and retired seven years ago.

Sewa Lamsal: Sewa joined the Foreign Service as a Deputy Secretary and later became the Nepalese Ambassador to Pakistan. Currently, she serves as the Foreign Affairs Spokesperson and the head of the United Nations and International Organizations Division.

Outside Foreign Service:
Gunalakshmi Sharma Bishwakarma: Bishwakarma served as the Nepali ambassador to Myanmar and was allowed to stay on for a few extra months after completing her tenure. She is also known for her activism against caste-based discrimination.

Maya Kumari Sharma: Sharma made history as the first Nepali woman to be appointed as the ambassador to Qatar. However, she was embroiled in controversy when she made a statement about the internal affairs and workers in Qatar. As a result, Sharma had to cut short her tenure and return home prematurely. She was appointed on the quota of CPN (Maoist Center).

Pratibha Rana: Rana served as the Nepali ambassador to Japan under the quota of the Rashtriya Prajatantra Party. She is also the mother-in-law of Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba. During Deuba’s tenure as the prime minister, other ambassadors were recalled, but Rana was allowed to continue serving in Japan. Additionally, six months were added to her tenure after its completion. While in Japan, Rana’s daughter Arju received medical treatment at the embassy.

Lucky Sherpa: Sherpa holds a post-graduate degree in economics and was a UML MP before joining the Maoist party. She was appointed as Nepal’s ambassador to Australia but was recalled when UML came to power. Sherpa also faced controversy over a private worker who accompanied her during her tenure as ambassador.

Dawa Futi Sherpa: Dawa Futi Sherpa, the daughter of first Nepali Everest climber late Pasang Lhamu Sherpa, was appointed as Nepal’s ambassador to Spain by KP Sharma Oli led government at a young age. Before that, she was working with a private organization in New York. However, she did not get to serve her full term as an ambassador.

Anjan Shakya: Anjan Shakya is a scholar in humanities and. He was previously known for her work as a news anchor and singer at Radio Nepal. She joined the Institute of Foreign Affairs as a deputy head before being appointed as Nepal’s ambassador to Israel on the recommendation of UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli. She, however, was recalled after the collapse of the Oli-led government.

Sharmila Parajuli Dhakal: Sharmila is considered a fortunate woman has she has served as Nepal’s ambassador for two countries. After completing her four-year tenure in Oman, she was appointed for an additional year. She was appointed Nepal’s ambassador to Oman by Sher Bahadur Deuba led government on the recommendation of Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar. Recognizing her work in Oman, she has been appointed as Nepal’s ambassador to Spain. She has good relationship with leaders like KP Sharma Oli, Madhav Kumar Nepal, and Sher Bahadur Deuba.

Jyoti Pyakurel: Jyoti Pyakurel used to teach at Padmakanya College and is close to leaders of different political parties. Her husband, economict Professor Bishwambhar Pyakurel has served as Npeal’s ambassador to Sri Lanka. He, however, returned from Sri Lanka without completing his term. Jyoti was appointed as the ambassador to South Korea by former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.

Kanta Rijal: Kanta Rijal has worked closely with the Nepali Congress (NC). She is considered close to NC leader Shashank Koirala. She is currently serving as Nepal’s ambassador to Israel. Kanta, the daughter of veteran NC leader Ganesh Rijal, was a candidate under the proportional representation system in the 2008 Constituent Assembly election. She is also the first woman development officer of Terhathum.