Leading with Intregrity: Namgay is a role model for rural Bhutanese women

A Bhutanese woman is sitting at her work desk looking directly at the camera
'I am pleased and really proud of how my leadership has encouraged women in my community to come forward and to participate. My work also made people realise the importance of diversity of voices in the decision-making rooms, particularly on the importance and value addition of women leaders,’ says Namgay Pelden.

 

Namgay is a local government leader in Dagana district of Bhutan. She was the first female Gup (local leader) to be elected at the sub-district level and is a role model for rural Bhutanese women. Her leadership style and efforts have inspired many women to take up decision-making roles and increased their confidence to participate and lead community development activities. Namgay plans to run for a third time in the upcoming elections.

 

Namgay prioritises gender equality and social inclusion and puts it at the forefront of her work. She led the construction of a breastfeeding room in her local government office for the convenience of working and visiting mothers. Under her leadership and together with the health sector, 98% of households in her local government area constructed a toilet, with particular emphasis on reaching people with disabilities.

Namgay, a Gup in Bhutan sits with some people from her community at their house where she has organised an accessible toilet

Namgay organised annual health check-up camps for women in her sub-district who could not afford hospital visits. She also mobilised funds from her network to support children from households living in poverty to attend school.

 

Recognising and valuing the critical contributions of women as decision makers, stakeholders, educators, carers and experts across sectors and at all levels is key to a sustainable, climate-resilient future. Without their voices at the table, this won’t happen. That is why Australia supports gender equality and social inclusion through Water for Women. In Bhutan, we partner with SNV Netherlands Development Organisation to deliver inclusive, accessible and sustainable WASH services and programs, and working with and supporting women like Namgay, who are leading change within their communities.

 

Namgay's initiatives have helped to emphasise the importance of diverse voices in decision-making, including the value of women’s leaders. Namgay has played a significant role in challenging social norms that restrict rural women from participating in formal leadership, decision-making and other activities like sports which are traditionally male dominated.

 

‘For me, leadership means to lead by example and to have integrity. I keep in touch with the community people and participate in events and programmes at their homes to help maintain and nourish the relationships that support my work.’

 

 

Watch:
Namgay Pelden is a government official at the Tashiding sub-district of Dagana in Bhutan. For Namgay, true leadership is practised with integrity. As the first woman elected in office at sub-district level, she made it her life's work to encourage other women to seek out leadership

 


 

This story was written by Avni Kumar and Diana Gonzalez Botero from ISF-UTS, with input from Tshering Choden, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Advisor, SNV in Bhutan

 

It was originally published by SNV Netherlands Development Organisation and is published here with permission. This version has been edited by Water for Women.

 

Photos: SNV / Tshechu Dorji  

 

On International Women’s Day, we are celebrating women and water in WASH. All are critical to building and sustaining healthy and climate-resilient communities. 

 

Recognising and valuing the critical contributions of women as decision makers, stakeholders, educators, carers and experts across sectors and at all levels is key to a sustainable, climate-resilient future. Without their voices at the table, this won’t happen.

 

Changing mindsets in a changing climate - water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) delivery offers an important entry point to facilitate positive changes in social norms, attitudes and gender relations.

 

In Asian and Pacific communities, Water for Women partners are delivering inclusive, accessible and sustainable WASH services and programs, and working with and supporting women who are leading change within their communities. Today we share some of their inspiring stories.

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