Chief Justice (Acting) Sapana Pradhan Malla addressed the importance of women’s struggle and perseverance at the ’50 Influential Women’ awards program. She emphasized, “Inclusion is not a favor granted by anyone; our constitution guarantees women rights and equality.” She highlighted the need for strong laws and institutional mechanisms to combat discrimination and violence against women.
Standing here today fills me with profound happiness. This moment is significant not only for the nation but also personally. I stand among fifty women who, in different ways, have quietly overcome invisible barriers. This is not just a professional achievement but a personal one as well. I regard this platform as a mirror—a mirror where a young Nepali girl, whether raised in the lap of the Himalayas, in the Terai plains, or a small city apartment, can see herself. What does she see in that mirror? A woman lawyer, a political leader, a mayor, an artist, a mountaineer, a rights activist, an athlete, an entrepreneur, a writer, a security personnel, a judge. Looking into this mirror, she says, ‘I can be like that too.’
This is the power of identity that teaches us to dream. That possibility lights the path to a brighter future in another woman’s heart. While these fifty stories are inspiring, they remain exceptions. Many women in our society still cannot showcase their potential or pursue their dreams; they are forced to stop midway. They want to progress but are held back by family, children, social expectations, and structural inequalities that narrow their path. Sometimes, they must give up the fight before it even begins.
Therefore, today is not merely a celebration but a moment for deep reflection and honest self-assessment. We need to ask ourselves—
- Have we built a world where daughters can fearlessly dream?
- Or are we repeating old cycles where women must prove themselves at every step?
- Does the next generation still have to struggle this much?
- Or are we paving pathways filled with opportunities and transformation rather than struggle?
True change comes from structural transformation. Women have fought to establish identity as mothers, secure rights to their daughters’ inheritance, ensure equal access to education, value their labor, and promote inclusive representation in politics. Real change will occur only when a young girl says, ‘I can too’ and that is no longer just a dream but her reality.
Inclusion is a constitutional right, not a granted favor. Our constitution enshrines women’s rights and dignity from Article 18 to 38. These are inherent rights protected by the constitution. Change begins with courageous steps, and this initiative exemplifies such courage.
For years, women have created history, yet never received rightful recognition. Despite their contributions, their voices remained unheard. This program breaks that silence. The list of 460 names is more than a compilation—it is a chronicle of struggle. Each name holds a broken dream and a journey of rising again. You have not only showcased these stories but honored and amplified them.
I first want to remember the women who came before us—those who never had such platforms, who endured disrespect without opportunities. Yogmaya raised her voice against injustice and societal wrongs but died without alternatives. Women have fought silently where no one believed them, where their voices were unheard, and where their labor was unrecognized and unowned. Their battle was not just for rights but for existence, respect, identity, and equality.
We stand here because of the paths they forged; we stand on their shoulders. Our struggle brought us here, but it is far from over. Reality remains harsh, and the journey incomplete. We must continue fighting to make our rights vibrant.
Women’s ownership remains under 2%. Though maternal mortality has decreased, it is not yet zero. Crimes against women continue rising daily, with changes in the nature of offenses. Violence extends beyond streets and homes, permeating markets, workplaces, and the digital world. Nearly 90% of cybercrime victims in Nepal are women. Terms like ‘hate expression,’ ‘hate crime,’ and ‘stereotype’ are not mere words but wounds.
Is justice possible amid such discrimination and violence? Can injustice lead to equality? The answer is clear—it cannot. Justice begins with sensitivity. Freedom of expression must be balanced with responsibility. We need not only robust laws but strong institutions. We require systems that understand technology and implement inclusion and good governance.
While the constitution recognizes women’s reproductive roles, practical transformations are necessary—transformations that form the foundation for sustainable change. We need a system where technology assists justice, not weaponizes revenge. Rules must be enforceable and ensure the rights of all.
Most importantly, we need a society where injustice does not cause people to look away, but where voices rise, solidarity is given, and transformations embraced. Change has begun but the responsibility to complete it rests on all of us.
What does pursuit and perseverance look like for a Nepali woman? It can be seen when Jhamakkumari Ghimire creates words with her toes. It can be seen when Meera Rai becomes a world-class runner from a village with no track. When a woman mayor builds a road in an electricity-deprived village. When a woman thrives in challenging environments, achieving excellence. Perseverance is not a one-time achievement but the daily decision to show up despite numerous barriers just for being a woman.
Every woman here understands the true meaning of perseverance through her life. When one Nepali woman succeeds, she does not succeed alone—it opens possibilities for thousands. Nepali women today lead in the judiciary, politics, and local governments, proving leadership requires not gender but determination, capability, courage, and sensitivity.
The words of Ruth Bader Ginsburg come to mind: ‘Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.’ Let us look around this room. Who is present? Women in the judiciary who make rights a lived reality, women in science securing health and futures, women artists shaping identity and soul. And in the same room, a young girl peers at herself in a mirror, observing, learning, dreaming of what is possible.
Women in sports carry Nepal’s flag with pride on international stages. Women in security uphold community safety. Women in education shape tomorrow’s generations. Across many sectors, women are steadfastly making history. Where security roles once belonged only to men, today female officers lead from traffic management to crime investigations, from the CIB to international peacekeeping missions. Women pilots now command the skies, replacing outdated notions that Nepali women cannot fly planes.
In challenging national circumstances, Sushila Karki became the first female Chief Justice, providing critical leadership and direction. The story is changing—and the pen is now in your hands.
Intersectionality reminds us that our fight against discrimination must consider multiple layers: being a woman, Madhesi, Dalit, indigenous, or differently-abled woman brings overlapping discriminations. The constitution clearly prohibits such discrimination and is fostering an environment for every woman to advance, breaking conservative mindsets.
Looking at the 50 honored women today, I say you have not only earned this recognition but given it meaning. You represent the direction of Nepal. You are transforming the country. You carry the hopes of all women and have shattered the glass ceiling. Without permission, you entered new spaces and redefined them. Yet, many ceilings remain to be broken. Leave pathways open for those who follow.
Use your influence, your voice, and your platform. Support other women, help them move ahead, and guide them. Our success should be measured not by how high we reach but by how many we bring along.
I want to conclude where I began. Somewhere a little girl is looking at us like a mirror, seeing herself. She is studying, learning what is possible. She will understand Nepal is not just about mountains but about the women who climbed them. She will realize success is not reserved for a select few women but is a right for all. Whether standing in court, piloting a plane, or drafting laws, these will be her rights, no longer extraordinary achievements.
Once again, thank you for bringing us all together in one place to show, ‘Look at the power and potential in Nepal.’ Finally—struggle is real. Perseverance is boundless. It is through this struggle and perseverance that success is guaranteed. Let us continue giving our best efforts.
(Address by Acting Chief Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla at the ’50 Influential Women’ Awards Ceremony)
