The second edition of She Leads Icon Awards will take place in Kathmandu in January 2026 with a grand celebration of women’s leadership. For the past four years, the organisers, Kalpa, have been advancing initiatives in women’s political leadership, health, entrepreneurship, and adolescent empowerment. Last year was the first edition of the awards attended by the Prime Minister. This year, the organization is in addition to the awards also hosting a three-day utsav dedicated to women’s entrepreneurship and leadership at Bhrikutimandap.
For the second edition, 131 applications were received, out of which 111 were shortlisted after a rigorous selection process. Among the applicants, 10 were Mayors/Chairpersons and 101 were Deputy Mayors/Vice-Chairpersons.
The distinguished jury panel – comprising Hon. Astalaxmi Shakya (senior politician and Nepal’s first woman Chief Minister), Charu Chadha (communications and brand strategist), and Saru Joshi (gender and equality expert) – selected 31 exceptional women representatives from across Nepal’s provinces: 4 from Province 1, 5 from Madhesh, 5 from Bagmati, 4 from Gandaki, 4 from Lumbini, 4 from Karnali, and 5 from Sudurpaschim. Of these, 7 are Mayors/Chairpersons and 24 are Deputy Mayors/Vice-Chairpersons.
The selected 31 women representatives are listed below:
- Bishnu Kmari Lumbu– Deputy Mayor of Illam Muncipality
- Dharmakala Shahi – Vice-Chairperson of Shubhakalik Rural Municipality
- Chandrakala Adhikari – Vice-Chairperson of Annapurna Rural Municipality
- Sushila Shahi – Mayor of Lamkichuha Municipality
- Nirmaya Taramu – Vice-Chair of Satyawati Rural Municipality
- Devika Kumari Singh — Deputy Mayor of Kushe Rural Municipality
- Sita Jaisi — Deputy Mayor of Bheri Muncipality
- Gyanu Kumari Seti Deuba — Vice-Chairperson of Ganyapdhura Rural Municipality
- Jamuna Kumari Bohara — Vice-Chairperson of Jorayal Rural Municipality
- Laxmi Shami (Rokaya) — Vice-Chairperson of Adarsha Rural Municipality
- Huma Kumari D.C. — Deputy Mayor of Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City
- Gayatri Acharya — Vice-Chairperson of Melung Rural Municipality
- Vidya Devi Bhujel — Deputy Mayor of Dhanushadham Municipality
- Sita Maya Gurung — Vice-Chairperson of Netrawati Dabjong Rural Municipality
- Hiradevi Sharma — Chairperson of Modi Rural Municipality
- Gokuli Kumari Regmi — Vice-Chairperson of Thori Rural Municipality
- Dolma Tamang — Vice-Chairperson of Saipal Rural Municipality
- Bina Kumari Bhattarai — Deputy Mayor of Thakurbaba Municipality
- Pramila Rai — Deputy Mayor of Shadanand Municipality
- Meena Kumari Lama — Mayor of Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City
- Maya Silwal — Vice-Chairperson of Ichyakamana Rural Municipality
- Mina Thapa — Vice-Chairperson of Sunilsmriti Rural Municipality
- Rina Kumari Sah — Mayor of Maulapur Municipality
- Padma Gurung — Deputy Mayor of Besisahar Municipality
- Gita Chaudhary — Mayor of Surunga Municipality
- Kalpana Kumari Katuwal — Mayor of Barahathwa Municipality
- Mithudevi Lama — Vice-Chairperson of Lisankhupakhar Rural Muncipality
- Mohanmaya Dhakal Bhandari — Mayor of Birendranagar Municipality
- Bipana Kulung — Vice-Chairperson of Mahakulung Rural Municipality
- Sabita Rai — Vice-Chairperson of Thulung Dudhkoshi Rural Municipality
- Bhagawati Regmi Aryal — Deputy Mayor of Bhirkot Municipality
The 31 selected women representatives were formally introduced to the public at the start of September. On September 1, a one-day leadership and capacity-building workshop was held, followed by an interactive session with media professionals and journalists on September 2, where participants shared their personal journeys and the experiences that have shaped their perspectives.
Opening the September 1 training, Mr. Samrat Thapa, Program Lead of She Leads Icon, said “Every woman has a story worth sharing, especially to inspire others to step into fields often perceived as difficult.” The sessions throughout the day brought together notable experts. Entrepreneur, certified trainer, and motivational speaker Suman Shakya led the first session, sharing his expertise in marketing, strategy, and mentorship. This was followed by Khem Raj Nepal, former Secretary of the Government of Nepal, anthropologist, and author of Samaj, Sanskar ra Shasan, who provided an in-depth perspective on the history of local governance.
In the afternoon, Chandni Joshi, Gender Rights and Policy Specialist, Senior National Advisor to UN Women Nepal, and former Regional Director of UNIFEM South Asia, reflected on her decades of advocacy. “I have been raising women’s issues for a long time, but too often no one listened,” she recalled, highlighting her efforts to push policy changes on domestic violence at a time when the issue was routinely dismissed. She underlined the importance of determination and inclusivity: “We need to be bold and demand change. Society must change how it views women—and men must also be part of this conversation, because change will not happen without them.”
The day concluded with an interactive session featuring the jury and a vote of thanks from Pooja Koirala, President of Kalpa, who also outlined the program’s upcoming activities.
At the She Leads Icon Awards, seven women will be honored as Icons, chosen through a combination of public voting, grounded reports, and jury evaluation.
WOW magazine is the official media partner for the awards and collaborator for the Utsav.
