Daijiworld Media Network - Kathmandu

Kathmandu, Mar 28: Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Friday formed a 15-member Cabinet with five women ministers, marking 33 per cent representation and setting a new benchmark for gender inclusion in Nepal’s political history.

The newly inducted ministers were administered the oath of office and secrecy by President Ram Chandra Paudel.

Among the women ministers, Nisha Mehta has been assigned the Health Ministry, Pratibha Rawal the Federal Affairs, General Administration and Cooperatives portfolio, Sobita Gautam the Law and Justice Ministry, and Sita Badi the Women and Children portfolio.

This is being seen as one of the highest representations of women in a Cabinet in Nepal’s history. Although the constitution mandates 33 per cent reservation for women in all state organs, including Parliament and the Cabinet, the provision had not been effectively implemented in the past.

Observers noted that earlier Cabinets typically included only one or two women ministers, making the current composition a significant step towards inclusivity.

Senior advocate and constitutional expert Dinesh Tripathi described the development as a “highly inclusive” move, adding that such representation is a positive sign for Nepal’s democratic progress.