There can be innovation in the vision, plans, initiatives, stances, and concepts of the ministry. This can make our foreign service even more agile and purposeful. Through which, Nepal's image can shine even brighter in the international world.
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Foreign Affairs is also included in the limited ministries with a broad scope of work. This is the ministry that plays a coordinating role in connecting the international community and the homeland. That is why it is described as the 'international face' of the country. Nepalis living abroad remember this ministry when they face difficulties.
Even when the country is in trouble, the role of this ministry is sought. From expanding bilateral relations to gaining international support for its issues, the effective role of this ministry proves to be decisive. Such a sensitive and strategic ministry has been running under the dominance of male employees for a long time.
Which had been strengthening a male mentality as a legacy in terms of gender. Now that situation is starting to break. The presence of women in the foreign service is making strides. In addition, the responsibilities and work performance they have received have also been praised. This has increased the belief that a new concept will be established in the foreign service.
In 2075/76, the number of women in the foreign service was a total of 57, and now it has reached 100. Of which there are 5 joint secretaries, 23 deputy secretaries, 45 branch officers and 27 deputy sub-inspectors. According to the data available in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 253 male employees are working.
Overall, the ratio of 100 women and 253 men seems to be unbalanced. However, the number of women is increasing. Therefore, we can say that we are moving in the right direction. This can be seen as a significant achievement of the inclusive policy followed by the state after the 2062/63 people's movement.
Although the presence of women in political organs, especially in parliament and the central committee of the party, has reached one-third, there has been no significant leap in the bureaucracy. Even in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, one-third has not been reached, but it seems to have reached close to it. Efforts should be made to maintain a gender-balanced presence.
The sensitivity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is made clear by its scope of work. This is the ministry that practically implements the foreign policy adopted by the country. This is also the tool to make bilateral or multilateral relations dynamic and friendly. This is also the initial ministry that should work hard to expand diplomatic relations and maintain a positive perception of the country in the international community.
Not only that, this is also the ministry that is affected by the international community and makes public its views on sensitive issues of its direct and indirect concern. For example, recently, after the US attacked Venezuela and brought its president back to its country, the opinion was made public through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This is recorded as the opinion of the country. This is also the ministry that reminds the international world of its issues. The ministry, which has a large and sensitive scope of work, was moving forward with a male concept and performance. It needed innovation.
How strong Nepal's Foreign Service, which has been run by a male-dominated mentality for decades, is a matter of debate. Because, it has long been analyzed that Nepal's diplomatic presence is weakening. Citizens have also felt that its service has not improved.
However, how responsible the ministry itself is for this and how much the entire government and political parties are is also a matter of separate debate. But the Foreign Service is certainly looking for capable manpower and innovative thinking. The increasing presence of female employees can add new ideas and dimensions to the Foreign Service. Because the presence of women in the Foreign Service is meaningful not only because of gender, but also because of the responsibility it carries.
For this reason, there can be innovation in the vision, plans, initiatives, stances, and concepts of the ministry. This can make our foreign service even more agile and purposeful. Through which Nepal's image can shine even brighter in the international world.
It is necessary to increase the presence of women not only among the employees, but also in the leadership of the ministry. The number of women ministers this ministry has also been very low. In Nepal's long practice of governance, only four women have been foreign ministers so far - Sahana Pradhan, Sujata Koirala, Bimala Rai Paudyal, and Arju Rana.
Therefore, the vision and plans of women have not been expressed in the leadership of the ministry. The increasing presence of women in the foreign service has shown women's efficiency in implementing foreign policy. But this alone is not enough. Women are also needed in the leadership of the ministry to decide policies and in some cases to take policy-level 'departures'. For this, the sense of responsibility of political parties and the initiative of women leaders are indispensable.
