KATHMANDU, Jan 15: The deadline to apply for the Section Officer exam through the Public Service Commission (PSC) arrived, and Nishu Jha, just 15 days postpartum, faced a difficult choice. Uncertain about succeeding in the challenging exam, she found herself in a dilemma - whether to apply or not.
Her husband, noticing her hesitation, took the lead and decided for her: she should fill out the application form regardless of the outcome.
A year after submitting the application, Jha appeared in the exam. She cleared the written test and interview for the Section Officer position on her first attempt, qualifying under all three categories: women, Madheshi, and open. This accomplishment made her the first government employee in her family.
Now, she attends a six-month training program at the Nepal Administrative Staff College, following her recommendation through the open category by the PSC. Dressed in a white shirt, blue pants, and a coat, she radiates joy at fulfilling her parents' dreams.
"My parents are ten times happier than I am, which makes me even more delighted," she says with a smile.
Why did her parents feel so happy? She answered this by sharing her mother's story. Her mother tailored clothes, often stitching uniforms for civil servants. In the evenings, she came home and told her daughter, “I stitched a uniform for so-and-so’s daughter, who works at the tax office.”
Nishu Jha
Nishu read her mother's unspoken desire to see her own daughter wearing a white shirt and blue pants.
After topping her college (+2) in Biology, she shifted her focus to agriculture for her undergraduate studies. Though opportunities to go abroad were open to her, she chose not to take that winding path.
“As the saying goes, ‘Those who have no one, have the public service,’” she shared, emphasizing that she didn’t need to rely on connections or favors for a government job. She believes in trusting her own hard work.
She has set her sights on reaching the highest level in civil service, aiming to become a secretary.
Rupa Tamang from Dupcheshwar, Nuwakot, worked at a private bank for two years before entering government service as a first class non-gazetted officer. After working for two years at the Taxpayer Service Office in Sindhuli, she passed the Section Officer (Auditing) exam on her fourth attempt.
People from the Tamang community rarely enter government services, but she attributes her success to the influence of her fellow government employee friends. While still in training, she said, "I will fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to me well. With a positive mindset, I will try to bring about any possible changes."
Yashoda Thapa
Human trafficking case filed against two women allegedly runnin...
Yashoda Thapa from Okhaldhunga secured a government job with the support of her family. After passing the local level exam, she worked as a Section Officer at Sailung Rural Municipality in Dolakha. Due to the uncertainty and instability of local government employees, she chose to join the federal government. With five years of experience in government service, she is now preparing for the position of Undersecretary.
Her mother-in-law and father-in-law take care of her two-year-old son, making it easier for her to work. She commutes to her office on her scooter.
Government offices provide vehicles to employees based on their needs. Some employees receive scooters or motorcycles, while those at the level of Undersecretary or above are provided with cars. The office also covers vehicle and fuel expenses for officials from the level of Joint Secretary and higher. Most women commute to the office by scooter. Dressed in blue pants and a white shirt, some women are seen riding scooters on the road with a child strapped to their back.
Listening to these representative women in government service, we can conclude that women’s presence is growing not only in government service but in every field. Women, once confined to household chores, now manage to balance everything while holding jobs. After marriage, many women take on the responsibility of running the household. Women naturally have the capacity to become mothers, managing everything at home while competing in the workforce and building their careers, just like men. Every woman desires self-reliance. Uneducated or less-educated women aim to empower their daughters and see them succeed. That’s why mothers say, “The hardships I faced due to not being educated should not be passed on to my daughter. She should become capable through education.”
Women are becoming competitors not only in terms of statistics but also in quality participation. Until a few years ago, parents traditionally married off their daughters at an early age. Today, the trend of daughters marrying according to their own wishes is on a steady rise. The National Penal Code (Act) 2017 states that no one can marry or arrange a marriage before reaching the age of 20. The law clearly says, "No one can marry or arrange a marriage before the age of 20." Any marriage involving underage individuals automatically becomes invalid, making it easier for daughters to shape their futures. The respect, prestige, job security, and salary/benefits offered by civil service have also enhanced its appeal.
The National Census 2021 shows that the female literacy rate is 69.4 percent, while the male literacy rate is 83.6 percent and the overall literacy rate is 76 percent. Ten years ago, the female literacy rate was 57.4 percent. Over the past decade, the female literacy rate has increased by 12 percent.
As women have advanced in education, their representation in government service has increased. More women than men have applied for vacancies advertised by the PSC. Data for the fiscal year 2023/24 shows that 240,321 women applied for positions in the internal, open, and inclusive categories, while 233,169 men applied in the same categories, according to Geeta Kumari Homegai, spokesperson for the PSC. A review of the application data from the past 10 years shows that women have consistently outnumbered men in applications since the fiscal year 2014/15. Homegai stated that as women's literacy rate has increased, they have started competing for government jobs.
She said, "More women are now entering the open category than the reserved categories, and the number of women in internal competition has also soared significantly." Looking at the trend over the past 10 years, she noted that the number of women and men applying has been equal.
Kali Prasad Parajuli, spokesperson for the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, which issues appointment letters after the Public Service Commission's recommendations, stated that the number of women has significantly increased recently. The Public Service Commission recommends those who pass the written and oral exams. Afterward, the ministry issues appointment letters and sends the selected candidates for training. After six months of training, they begin their work.
He says, "Now, there is no distinction between men and women. They appear equal. Anyone who can put in the effort and consistency in education will succeed in the public service." He adds that women are more visible among those who work hard. After five years as a Section Officer, the number of female candidates competing for positions as Undersecretary and Joint Secretary has also increased. In this way, they enter the position of Joint Secretary with practical experience from their previous work.
Prajuli’s experience shows that the increasing number of women entering government service is also due to the good working environment in government offices. The reservations previously given to women seem to have fostered this environment. He notes that most women work in the ministries inside Singha Durbar. "With women working everywhere, there has been a shift in perspective and thinking," says Spokesperson Parajuli. "Change has already occurred at home. Various factors, including the need to stand on one's own feet, have contributed to this."
Quality participation
Currently, 203 individuals are undergoing training at the Nepal Administrative Staff College (NASC), for job entry, with 51 of them being women. Although this data suggests the number of women is not very high, women have recently excelled in education, as seen in the recent graduation ceremony at Tribhuvan University. On December 28, during the 50th convocation ceremony at Dasarath Stadium, more female students received medals and awards for their outstanding performances. Out of the 22 medals and awards distributed, 17 went to female students, while only five were awarded to the males.
Achala Dahal
Achala Dahal, NASC’s Gender Focal Person, analyzes that improved education for women will naturally lead to increased representation in all sectors. She states that women's presence is growing in every field and will continue to expand. With 10 years of experience in providing training, she says, "Quality participation, study after marriage, career progression, financial independence, and personal motivation are characteristics of women."
Some women come to training with their children in their arms and also have access to child care centers. She explains that changing the mindset ingrained in society for years will take time. "Breaking many social barriers for women will take time," Achala adds, "But women are excelling in quality performance."
She points out that even developed countries have reservations for women, stating, "Development should not mean ending reservations." She argues that even policies made with good intentions are often influenced by powerful forces. "The issue of why the targeted groups did not benefit from reservations is a separate matter," Achala says. "If the poor, backward, and designated groups do not get reservations, it is the state's fault. Policies should prevent the capable from exploiting reservations."
Women CDOs in six districts
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, six out of the 77 districts in Nepal currently have women serving as Chief District Officers (CDOs). While the number is small, their growing presence in such influential positions carries significant meaning. When Usha Nepal became the first female Chief District Officer in 1990 and arrived in Bhaktapur, it astonished many people. She had become the first female CDO after the 1989 revolution. However, this situation is changing, with the positive possibility that the number of women and men in these roles may soon become equal.
Women currently lead districts in Ilam, Tehrathum, Nawalparasi West, Bardiya, Pyuthan, and Syangja. Kalpana Shrestha serves as the CDO in Ilam in Koshi Province. Similarly, Meena Aryal in Tehrathum, Skim Shrestha in Nawalparasi West, Rudradevi Sharma in Bardiya, Rama Acharya Subedi in Pyuthan, and Sunita Nepal in Syangja hold the position of CDO.
Reservation system
In the past, only men occupied government services and many other sectors, with women being a rare presence. To address the gender gap, the state introduced the reservation system. Reservation ensures that the state has a certain percentage of positions for specific groups, allowing only candidates from these groups to compete for the allocated positions.
The government opened the door to the reservation system after the promulgation of the Interim Constitution of 2007. It amended the Civil Servants Act, 1993, for the second time in 2007 to implement the reservation system. The act reserved 45 percent of the positions for designated groups. This 45 percent was then divided into six clusters, with the entire 45 percent treated as one hundred percent for distribution.
The reservation system allocates 33 percent for women, 27 percent for indigenous groups, 22 percent for Madheshis, 9 percent for Dalits, 5 percent for persons with disabilities, and 4 percent for so-called backward areas. Only candidates from these designated groups are allowed to compete for the reserved quota. They can also compete in the remaining 55 percent open category. This dual competition option has made it easier for candidates from the reserved clusters to enter civil service. However, there has been ongoing debate about revisiting the system, with some arguing that the intended beneficiaries have not fully benefited.
The latest data from the Department of Civil Personnel Records (DOCPR) reveals that 7 women hold senior positions, specifically in the position of Secretary. The data for the fiscal year 2022/23 shows that 58 women serve as Joint Secretaries, 364 as Undersecretaries, 1,737 as Section Officers, 2,529 as Assistant Sub-Inspectors, and 1,582 as clerks. Looking at the overall government service statistics, the total number of employees in fiscal year 2018/19 was 88,298, with 21,963 women and 66,335 men. By fiscal year 2022/23, the total number of government employees had increased to 85,397, with 24,042 women and 61,355 men. The data over the past five years demonstrates an increase in the number of women.
Interview
Yam Kumari Khatiwada, Former Secretary
Yam Kumari Khatiwada served as a Secretary of the Government of Nepal. She was promoted from Undersecretary to Joint Secretary in 2002. She later assumed the position of Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens, and the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, among others. She retired two years ago.
Yam Kumari Khatiwada
How did you enter the civil service?
I entered the civil service in March 1995, competing for the position of section officer. In the parliamentary service competition, 27 of us were selected, and I was the only woman among them; the rest were men. At that time, it was remarkable for a woman to enter the service. I had heard that a woman had entered before me. Since the reservation system had not yet been implemented, I competed in the open category.
How is the gender ratio in the civil service changing?
The reservation policy has brought many women into the civil service. They have also participated through open competition, not just the reservation system. Government service seems to be increasingly attractive, and the percentage of women is rising.
The rise in women's education, their growing competitive abilities, and greater awareness of public service have contributed to this shift. Social media has also played a role in spreading information. In our time, finding books was difficult, and we had to visit the Putilisadak bookstore. Today, it’s easy to study while staying at home and looking after children. When preparing for public service, women must complete household tasks and manage everything before leaving. Even with family support, they must work harder than men.
The private sector does not offer secure jobs and the salary is often below expectations and without social security, and there are risks. As a result, people consider government jobs secure. Public holidays make it easier for women. Middle-class families often prioritize government jobs, encouraging competition for public service. Skill development and quality participation have increased. Now, even those educated in boarding schools are beginning to compete for positions in foreign services, creating a noticeable trend.
What does this indicate?
This shows that women's presence in leadership is significantly increasing. I believe that soon, women will make up more than fifty percent of such positions. Women are becoming more dominant in various fields. Since men are more involved in business and trade, women find it easier. Additionally, the responsibilities tied to natural roles make government jobs more suitable for women.
What advice do you have for civil service aspirants?
They should study and pass the exams. Once they enter the civil service, they must understand their purpose in this role and in administration. They need to work with a mindset of serving the public. A person recognized by the state takes on the responsibility of being a government employee. They should join not simply to earn money but also to serve with discipline and high ethics, aiming for good governance. Staying in the service is more important than simply entering it.
Women often perform their roles with greater sensitivity than men after taking on responsibilities. While men tend to be more confident, saying, "It will work out", women ask questions and ensure they understand things before proceeding. Women must prove themselves through their work. Society's perspective, understanding, and psychology are different. Even when women are given responsibilities in branches or divisions of the ministries, they are not trusted until they demonstrate their abilities.
I always reached the office earlier than most men. I never showcased household work in my profession. I balanced household responsibilities while competing with men. Women's natural roles often align with these responsibilities.
