Former Finance Minister Dr. Yuba Raj Khatiwada underscored the critical importance of empowering women as a catalyst for economic transformation. He made the remarks while addressing the fifth edition of the NewBiz Business Women Summit and Awards 2025 on Wednesday.
Chief guest Khatiwada highlighted that as the government prepares the national budget, feedback from women entrepreneurs and policymakers will be essential in shaping inclusive policies.
Dr. Khatiwada noted that Nepal has made notable progress in political and social empowerment, with over 40% female representation in governance—a feat stronger than in many countries. While educational parity at the high school level has been largely achieved, challenges remain in science, technology, and technical education, where female participation is still low.
He pointed out the disparity in education systems: males tend to dominate private institutions, while females are more prevalent in community schools. While social empowerment can be mandated by policy, economic empowerment is more complex and cannot be legislated in the same way.
“The economy is still inherently biased against women,” Dr. Khatiwada said. “But investing in women creates a long-term impact, breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty.”
Research shows that investing in women leads to better outcomes in health, education, and the economy. Dr. Khatiwada stressed the importance of male involvement in addressing women’s issues, underlining that gender equality is a shared responsibility.
He acknowledged the role of government policy in enabling women’s economic participation, such as improving infrastructure to reduce household burdens. However, he pointed out persistent wage disparities that must be addressed.
“The government's responsibility is not just to support women but to ensure they are equally capable and responsible participants in the economy,” he added. Highlighting the low representation of women in leadership roles, he noted that less than 10% of top management positions are held by women.
Reflecting on his time as Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, Dr. Khatiwada recalled that few women held CEO positions, a scenario that remains largely unchanged. He expressed optimism that within five years, with educational parity achieved, we will see more visible results in leadership and economic participation.
Dr. Khatiwada also raised concerns about the misuse of women’s empowerment programs, such as loans and grants.
“While one-third of homes are now registered under women’s names, women must lead with confidence and ownership,” he emphasized. On maternal health, he credited government efforts for reducing maternal mortality from 850 to under 150.
He stressed the importance of investing in human capital, starting with early education, nutrition, and maternity support. Calling for a curriculum overhaul, he advocated for education that prepares women for entrepreneurship and leadership.
Dr. Khatiwada urged the financial sector to trust women entrepreneurs, citing the launch of seed funding up to Rs 1.5 million for women-led businesses without collateral.
He encouraged the use of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to support women-led ventures, stating, “Let’s offer seed money, mentorship, and a supportive environment—because investing in women is not just fair, it is economically smart.”
