The prime minister’s chair in Nepal has historically been exclusive to men. No more. A new era began on September 12 when Sushila Karki, the country’s first female (now former) chief justice, was appointed as the first woman prime minister of the interim government of Nepal. Her appointment followed the revolutionary Gen Z protests against corruption, which led to the ouster of KP Sharma Oli who was serving his third term as prime minister. Even as critics labeled her nomination unconstitutional, it emerged out of the ‘doctrine of necessity’ and the votes of the digital-savvy Gen Z on Discord. They agreed on Karki after she handily beat other top contenders, all men, in a poll to pick the new prime minister.

Karki’s selection is a milestone for a country like Nepal, which flaunts progressive laws and a forward-looking constitution, yet fails to implement them. According to the latest national census, women make up 51 percent of Nepal’s population. The 2015 constitution guarantees a 33 percent reservation for women in both the House of Representatives and the National Assembly in the federal parliament, and a minimum of 40 percent representation at the local level. Still, the country is far from ensuring such representation in line with women’s population share. Successive governments’ disregard for women’s representation in their Cabinet is another case in point.

Such a shortfall often stems from the patriarchal mindset. Even now, politics is seen as a men’s field, with women even discouraged from discussing politics, let alone considered capable of contesting elections. In this backdrop, whether Karki’s tenure becomes just a symbol or a turning point in Nepal’s political history remains to be seen. Her leadership of the government has, nonetheless, given young women a role model to look up. Karki’s appointment will inspire them to see themselves in the highest decision-making and leadership roles traditionally dominated by men.

While it is true that Nepali women have made it to most of the top positions, including president, prime minister, chief justice, foreign secretary, chief secretary, and others, these positions should be consistently filled with more women from various backgrounds, castes and ethnicities. As per the Department of National Personnel Records, out of 85, 513 civil service employees, 20.64 percent are female; their representation in leadership roles in bureaucracy is worse still. With Sushila Karki in the box seat, there can be no better time for systemic change. For one, social pressure must be built on Nepal’s political parties to field more women candidates in the March 2026 elections.

Then there is the need to change discriminatory laws. Nearly 100 provisions in 43 Acts still discriminate against women. Women who understand law and politics must, therefore, take the lead in ensuring women’s fundamental rights. Separately, three members have already been added to Karki’s Cabinet. While picking more members, there must be an adequate number of women, too. Again, with a woman as the country’s executive head, what better time to do it, and to create a positive pressure on all future government heads.