May 5, 2026

Women Leadership Summit 2026: The Biratnagar Declaration and the Future of Female Leadership

5th May 2026, Kathmandu

The recently concluded Women Leadership Summit 2026 in Biratnagar has established a robust foundation for the future of Nepalese women entrepreneurs.

Women Leadership Summit 2026

Organized under the banner of “Sustainable Prosperity, Agriculture, Skills, Creativity, and Digital Innovation,” this summit aimed to position women not just as a labor force, but as the primary drivers of the national economy.

Biratnagar Declaration: Demanding Policy Intervention

The most significant outcome of the summit was the unveiling of the 16-point ‘Biratnagar Declaration.’ This manifesto focuses on female entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, and policy-level participation, demanding concrete programs from the state.

Key Highlights of the Declaration:

Financial Access & Incentives: Provisions for subsidized loans, tax exemptions, and interest subsidies for women hindered by a lack of collateral.

Digital Innovation: Increasing investment in digital access and technology to modernize traditional female-led enterprises.

Agricultural Modernization: Strengthening the economic status of rural women through modernized farming and effective market linkages.

Skill Development: Establishing private-sector-led training centers in Biratnagar to enhance the technical proficiency of women entrepreneurs.

Solidarity Between Government and Private Sector

During the Women Leadership Summit 2026, the Chief Minister of Koshi Province, Hikmat Kumar Karki, pledged that the provincial government would launch a “Special Package” for women entrepreneurs.

“Political structures with women’s participation have proven to be highly successful; now, we need that same honest and capable leadership in the economic sector,” stated Chief Minister Karki.

Simultaneously, Bidhusi Rana, Chairperson of the CNI Women Leadership Forum, expressed a firm commitment to coordinate and lobby across all three tiers of government federal, provincial, and local to ensure these agendas are implemented effectively.

Female Leadership for Economic Prosperity

The summit, organized by the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) and its affiliates, made one thing clear: sustainable economic development is impossible until women reach decision-making levels.

Prominent industry leaders like Pawan Golyan and Pawan Sarda also emphasized the importance of increasing female employment and providing mentorship.

The Women Leadership Summit 2026 was more than just a formal event; it has redefined the role of women in Nepal’s industrial history.

With the successful implementation of the Biratnagar Declaration, the coming years are expected to see Nepalese women emerge as successful entrepreneurs and major investors.

The 16-Point Biratnagar Declaration: Major Demands & Commitments

Constitutional Participation: Beyond politics, encourage female leadership in economic, social, business, education, and health policy-making.

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Innovation Incentives: Adopt policies that encourage women to lead in social change and economic innovation.
Climate Crisis Mitigation: Implement system reforms to address the impact of climate change on female entrepreneurship.
Rural Empowerment: Launch special packages for agricultural modernization and market facilitation for rural women.
Digital Transition: Increase digital access to help traditional businesses transition into the modern digital economy.
Equitable Perspective: Appeal to stakeholders to adopt an equitable view of women in the professional and leadership sectors.
Subsidized Support: Demand subsidized loans, grants, and specialized training programs from regulatory bodies.
Tax Incentives: Adopt policies that offer tax breaks and other incentives for businesses operated by women.
SME Promotion: Develop effective programs to promote and market products from female-led small and medium enterprises.
Social Entrepreneurship: Treat entrepreneurship as a tool for social development rather than just income generation.
Sustainable Farming: Increase investment in climate-resilient agriculture and research through institutional partnerships.
Trade Deficit Reduction: Prioritize the export of indigenous products to reduce the national trade deficit.
ICT Market Promotion: Launch provincial and local programs to promote female-led products via Information Technology.
Market Facilitation: Government and local bodies must run special programs to help women entrepreneurs market their goods.
Training Center Establishment: Establish a private-sector training center in Biratnagar to bridge the skill gap and link women to industries.
Policy Advocacy: A commitment to continuously lobby federal, provincial, and local governments for the implementation of this declaration.