Goma Devi Bastola( President )
Goma Devi Bastola
President, Rural Women’s Network Nepal (RUWON Nepal)
I was born and raised in rural Nepal, where I witnessed firsthand the challenges and inequalities faced by women and girls. These experiences deeply shaped my commitment to advocating for women’s rights, education, and empowerment. Since joining the Rural Women’s Network Nepal (RUWON Nepal) in 2014, I have dedicated myself to amplifying the voices of rural women, fostering equality, and expanding educational opportunities. As President, my vision is to inspire women’s organizations to become active participants in their communities, promoting unity, highlighting their contributions to society, and striving for greater gender equality.
In 2017, I became a proud member of Soroptimist International, a global volunteer organization that promotes peace and uplifts women and girls. Currently, I serve as the Program Action Officer for the Soroptimist Kathmandu Club, where I contribute to local and global initiatives advancing women’s empowerment.
My work has been recognized internationally, including being awarded the prestigious Hurford Youth Fellowship from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and being selected for the board member of Intersectional Feminist Collective (IFC). Additionally, I serve as Vice President on the executive board of the International Alliance of Women (IAW).
Founded in 2007, RUWON Nepal has remained committed to improving the lives of girls and women across the country. With special consultative status from the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), RUWON Nepal advocates for economic and social development at the local, national, and international levels. Our initiatives focus on grassroots empowerment, education, shelter, and creating networking opportunities for marginalized women.
Through my work with RUWON Nepal, IAW, Soroptimist International, and IFC, I continue to promote women’s rights and gender equality. We empower women of all ages through leadership training, capacity-building programs, literacy campaigns, and economic empowerment initiatives. I believe that the progress of any nation relies on providing equal opportunities for men and women to live healthy, safe, and autonomous lives.