Empowering Women in Cybersecurity: CAN Federation Hosts Leadership Program in Nepal
23rd March 2026, Kathmandu
As Nepal accelerates its digital transformation, the need for inclusive security has never been more critical. To address this, the CAN Federation’s Software and Services Committee recently hosted a landmark event: “Empowering Women for a Secure Digital Future: Building Cybersecurity Leaders.”
Empowering Women in Cybersecurity
Organized in collaboration with the Centre for Cyber Security Research and Innovation (CSRI Nepal) and npCERT, the program held at Texas College of Management and IT served as a rallying cry for gender parity in the nation’s tech defense.
Bridging the Gender Gap in Cybersecurity
According to global trends in 2026, while female representation in the cybersecurity workforce is rising, leadership roles remain a significant frontier. Chiranjibi Adhikari, Senior Vice President of the CAN Federation, highlighted that empowering women isn’t just about technical skills; it’s about holistic safety.
“Cybersecurity for women must go hand-in-hand with physical safety. In today’s landscape, digital literacy and self-defense training are both essential tools for empowerment,” Adhikari stated during his address.
Strategic Insights from Industry Pioneers
The event featured a series of technical sessions designed to provide a roadmap for aspiring female leaders:
Policy & Institutional Leadership: Roja Kiran Basukala, Deputy Director at the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA), spoke about the need for women to be at the “frontlines” of policymaking to ensure a resilient digital future.
Career Opportunities: Suman Kumar Sharma of Insight Technology provided a practical guide to navigating the 2026 job market, emphasizing the high demand for diverse perspectives in threat detection.
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Emerging Threats: Mona Nyachhyon Shrestha, Founder of Monal Tech, broke down the latest cyber risks, noting that “diversity in leadership is our best defense against increasingly complex digital threats.”
Panel Highlights: Banking and Regulatory Security
A centerpiece of the afternoon was an interactive panel discussion. Experts, including Bandana Sharma (Nepal Bank Limited) and the keynote speakers, discussed the intersection of fintech security and regulatory challenges.
The consensus was clear: for Nepal to achieve a truly secure “Digital Nepal,” women must be integrated into every level of the cybersecurity ecosystem, from SOC analysts to Board Directors.
Why This Matters for Nepal’s Future
The program concluded with a vote of thanks from Sheela Kansakar Karkee, Coordinator of the Software and Services Committee, who reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to ongoing mentorship. With events like these, Nepal is positioning itself as a regional hub for inclusive tech innovation, proving that a secure digital future is one where everyone has a seat at the table.
Key Takeaways for Aspiring Female Leaders
Networking: Join organizations such as npCERT and the CAN Federation to find mentors.
Skill Diversification: Focus on emerging areas like AI Security and Cloud Governance.
Leadership: Look beyond technical roles; policy and management are critical paths for impact.
For more: Empowering Women in Cybersecurity
