7th March 2022, Kathmandu
Renegade Nepal hosted its first-panel discussion event on 6th March, Sunday. The discussion revolved around the topic of women in the workplace. The panelist comprised people from different dynamic sectors like Khalti, Jeeve Health, Hamrobazar, Women Lead, Girls in Tech, and the Miss Nepal Pagent.
The panel discussion was focused on the significant contributions of women in the workplace. It helped foster some crucial actions to help encourage gender equality and empowerment. The event served as a platform for collective reflection, addressing challenges and opportunities that lie in supporting the role of women as agents of change in the workplace.
Ms. Yogina Shakya, the event moderator, asked the panelist questions on present trends, challenges, and opportunities of women in the tech and non-tech industries.
Mr. Rohit Tiwari, CEO of Hamrobazar, said, “The opportunities are enormous for the women who are willing to come in the tech industry. They need to be groomed and prepare themselves accordingly without having a fear of being undermined.”
“We have 51% of women in Khalti where most of them are in a leadership position. The initiation should start from yourself before you socially advocate it. They should be given equal chances according to their capabilities and not just for the sake of having a woman in the position.” said Mr. Binay Khadka, CEO of Khalti.
Melisha Ghimire, Managing Director of Girls in Tech, added by saying, “The organizations should know why they need diversity in the team. They shouldn’t just hire female employees because they are female but also know if their experience and capabilities match their expectations.
Miss Nepal 2019 and CEO of Makkuse, Anushka Shrestha, said “The companies should not think twice before hiring a women candidate if she is going to go on a maternity leave someday. When the structure of the company is strong and they have a workforce to take over the place the company will also grow stronger. Companies shouldn’t be person or gender-dependent.”
“I believe that women need to start believing that if she needs to be in a leadership position then she really needs to nurture herself to be in the position rather than bringing not being equitable,” said Mr. Aabhushan Jyoti Kansakar, CEO of Jeeve health.
Mr. Kansakar added, “The organizations will grow not by counting heads but the structure, policies, and the system.
“The companies should not only give exposure to women during March month because it’s a women month but also give them an exposure throughout the year and encourage and help them to achieve greater things in the workplace,” said Suju Poon, Project Manager at Women Lead.