Twenty dynamic young women from across the nation embarked on a transformative journey over the past two days to gain the skills and confidence needed for future leadership roles in politics. Organized by the Centre for Research on Bhutanese Society, the intensive capacity-building program aimed to empower participants to overcome long-standing cultural and social barriers that have historically sidelined women from political leadership.
The training featured interactive sessions led by former politicians, who shared their insights and experiences to help these aspiring leaders understand what it takes to succeed in the political arena. The initiative not only focused on practical electoral strategies but also sought to instill a robust sense of self-belief among the participants.
“We’ve seen too many men in leadership and not enough women. People often think men are better suited for politics because we don’t see many female role models in leadership. But programmes like this are changing that mindset,” explained Rinzin Dema, Programme Officer at RENEW. Her words resonated with the group, which is eager to fill the leadership void and introduce fresh, diverse perspectives in local government.
Participant Chencho Wangmo reflected on the potential for change: “It’s not impossible for women to take part in politics. We have incredible role models already, and it’s high time we look up to them and step up for the opportunity ourselves.” The program’s interactive format allowed the young women to voice their aspirations while also addressing the systemic challenges that continue to hinder their progress.
Despite these promising steps forward, challenges remain. Officials acknowledge that while gender equality is enshrined in policy, practical implementation falls short. “It is not enough to have equal rights. We need to act on them. Training like this is mostly conducted in the capital only. It should reach villages and remote areas too so that women everywhere can understand their potential,” noted Chador Wangmo, another participant. She also pointed out that the declining number of women pursuing tertiary education further exacerbates the issue, limiting the pool of qualified candidates for political positions.
Recent global rankings underscore the urgency of the situation. Bhutan currently ranks 131st out of 191 countries on the Map of Women in Politics 2023, and the Global Gender Report noted a drop to 124th place out of 164 countries in the previous year—a stark decline that highlights the need for immediate action. Furthermore, women now represent only 17 per cent of the members in the national parliament, a statistic that the program’s organizers and participants are determined to change.
This groundbreaking training represents more than just a short-term initiative; it is part of a broader movement to redefine political leadership in Bhutan. By equipping young women with the necessary skills and fostering an environment where female leadership is both visible and celebrated, organizers hope to set the stage for a more inclusive and representative political future.
As these young leaders prepare to step into roles once dominated by men, the impact of their journey will likely extend far beyond the training room, inspiring communities nationwide to embrace a new era of gender-responsive governance.
