8th July 2025, Kathmandu
A one-day insurance training program for women economic journalists was successfully concluded in Kathmandu. The event was jointly organized by the Federation of Economic Journalists Association (FEJA) with support from the Nepal Insurance Authority (NIA).
Empowering Women Economic Journalists
Focus on Insurance Literacy for Women Journalists
The training aimed to enhance the capacity and knowledge of women economic reporters in Nepal regarding the insurance sector. During the opening session, the Executive Director of Nepal Insurance Authority, Mr. Sushil Dev Subedi, emphasized the growing significance of insurance reporting in Nepal’s evolving financial landscape.
“The media has a powerful influence on the insurance ecosystem. We want to equip journalists with the right tools and insights to produce factual and well-researched insurance stories,” Subedi stated.
He further stressed the need for journalists to go beyond superficial reporting and explore deep-rooted issues affecting the insurance industry in Nepal. The Authority reaffirmed its commitment to organizing more such capacity-building programs in the future, especially for women in journalism.
FEJA’s Commitment to Journalist Empowerment
FEJA President Sharmila Thakuri highlighted that this training would serve as a crucial skill-building initiative for women who cover economic and financial news.
“This training will help raise awareness, identify key challenges, and promote investigative reporting in Nepal’s insurance sector,” she remarked.
She also expressed hope for continued collaboration between FEJA and the Nepal Insurance Authority to further empower journalists.
Technical Sessions on Insurance Policies and Reforms
The one-day training was attended by 25 women journalists representing various national media houses. The technical sessions were conducted by Deputy Directors from the Nepal Insurance Authority, including Keshav Dahal, Ram Konju, Santosh Karki, and Nirmala Malla.
DD Ram Konju explained life and non-life insurance products, highlighting the importance of claim settlements and transparency. He also pointed out discrepancies among some companies hesitant to purchase policies themselves.
DD Karki delivered an in-depth session on the Nepal Financial Reporting Standards (NFRS), explaining its role in maintaining consistency in insurance contract accounting nationwide.
DD Nirmala Malla shared insights into the implementation of Risk-Based Capital (RBC) and its phased rollout for Nepalese insurance companies, which aims to strengthen financial stability in the sector.
DD Shrestha guided participants through the policy formulation process for both life insurance and non-life insurance businesses in Nepal.
Strong Support from Media and ICT Sector Leaders
The event was moderated by FEJA General Secretary Ajila Upreti, who ensured the sessions remained interactive and impactful. Ms. Mina Aryal, a former Executive Member of the CAN Federation and Chief Editor of ICT Frame Magazine, extended her best wishes to the participants and encouraged them to continue leading in economic journalism. “Empowering female journalists in Nepal is crucial for balanced media representation and effective financial literacy,” she noted.
For more: Empowering Women Economic Journalists