March 19, 2026
THIMPHU – In 2016, when Kinley Zangmo first put her name forward for the Mangmi post in Talo Gewog, Punakha, many still whispered that politics was a man’s domain.
She was competing against three male candidates and stepping into a space she once believed was not meant for women. Yet when the ballots were counted, the villagers had chosen her.
The victory did more than hand her a seat; it reshaped her understanding of what was possible. Five years later, encouraged by the confidence she had earned and the trust she had built with voters, she contested again in 2021. This time, she said, she was not surprised by the outcome. She won.
For the 41-year-old, winning two consecutive terms represents more than personal milestones. “They signal a quiet shift in voter attitudes,” she said. “People are beginning to see that women are capable. But we have to prove ourselves when we are given the chance.”
While women make up more than half of Bhutan’s population, they are largely underrepresented in leadership positions. Yet, in recent years, women have become more visible in leadership roles, from local government positions to senior public appointments, suggesting that perceptions toward women in leadership may be gradually evolving.
What the numbers reveal
Eighteen years into Bhutan’s democratic journey, women’s political representation in politics presents a mixed picture of gradual progress and persistent barriers.
At the grassroots level, women have made modest gains.
In the 2021 local government elections, women secured 177 of the 1,437 available seats across the country. Among them were nine gups, 22 mangmis, and 146 gewog tshogpas.
The numbers marked a small improvement from the 2016 local government elections, when 164 women were elected, including two gups, 24 mangmis, 129 gewog tshogpas, seven thromde tshogpas, and two thromde ngotshabs.
Yet the figures also reveal the scale of the gap. In the same elections, 1,275 men won seats.
Women’s participation in national politics remains more limited.
In the National Council elections of 2008, six women contested among 52 candidates, and four were elected. Participation declined in 2013, when only five women contested against 62 men and none secured a seat.
In 2018, six women contested and two were elected. The most recent elections in 2023 saw only five women among 89 candidates, with just one woman, Tshering Tshomo, winning a seat.
In 2008, ten women contested the parliamentary elections, and four were elected. In 2013, the number of women candidates remained the same, but only three were elected.
In 2018, female participation increased significantly, with 19 candidates and seven elected. However, the momentum did not fully carry into the next election cycle.
In the 2023 parliamentary elections, 26 women from five political parties contested in the primary round. Only six advanced to the general election, and ultimately just two were elected to the National Assembly.
Beyond electoral politics, women remain underrepresented in senior administrative roles. According to Civil Service Statistics 2023, women account for only 23 percent of civil servants at the executive level. While the overall share of women in the civil service increased from 38.15 percent in 2019 to around 40 percent in 2022, most women remain concentrated in the Support Service Category.
The figures suggest that while progress is visible at the grassroots level, national representation is improving more slowly.
For many observers, the upcoming elections will offer an important test of whether Bhutan is witnessing a temporary rise in women leaders or the beginning of a deeper structural transformation.
Social barriers remain
Despite growing awareness about gender equality, several social barriers continue to limit women’s participation in politics. Cultural norms, traditional gender roles, and societal expectations often discourage women from entering public leadership.
In many communities, women still face scepticism about their ability to lead. Social pressures frequently push women to prioritise household responsibilities over political engagement. Limited access to political networks and mentorship further reduces opportunities for women to contest elections and gain voter confidence.
Norbu Wangzom, a former Member of Parliament, said that in local government and National Council elections, voters often lean toward male leadership. However, she said that parliamentary elections are more strongly influenced by political parties, where candidates are chosen primarily based on party affiliation.
“I believe my past victories were due to my party’s support but also to my own capabilities,” she said.
Norbu Wangzom has contested four national elections and won twice – in 2008 and 2018.
For some women leaders, persistence has been key.
Dechen Zangmo, 37, first contested the Narang gup election in 2016 and lost by 51 votes. Undeterred by the narrow defeat, she contested again in 2022 and won.
Her victory, she believes, reflects a gradual shift in public attitudes.
“Today, more women are stepping forward to contest local government elections, and voters are increasingly open to placing their confidence in them,” she said. “Leadership is not defined by gender but by capability, commitment, and vision.”
Dechen Zangmo’s victory stands as a sign of this changing perception that women, too, can lead at the grassroots level and effectively serve their communities.
Kinley Dema, a 39-year-old businesswoman, said, “If Bhutan is to achieve meaningful gender parity in governance, shifting mindsets alone will not be enough. Political parties and communities must move beyond symbolic support and create pathways that allow women not only to contest, but to win.”
The role of media
Media coverage has also played a role in shaping perceptions of women in leadership. Stories highlighting female leaders and their contributions to community development help challenge the notion that politics is solely a male domain.
Greater visibility through newspapers, radio, television, and digital platforms allows voters to see women as capable decision-makers.
Many former women leaders say that media coverage over the years has helped influence how voters perceive women in governance. However, they believe that women’s voices and achievements still require greater attention.
Pema Tshomo’s appointment as Bhutan’s Ambassador to the Commonwealth of Australia serves as an inspiring example for women, highlighting the impact of female leadership.
Some voters say that seeing women leaders featured in the media and on social media platforms reinforces the belief that women are equally capable of holding public office. Others feel women can bring strengths such as empathy, collaboration, and attention to community needs.
Encouraging women leaders
Efforts to encourage women’s participation are also being supported by institutions and civil society.
The Bhutan Centre for Media and Democracy (BCMD) works to build women’s leadership skills by promoting civic awareness, encouraging inclusive participation, and creating platforms for dialogue.
The executive director of BCMD, Tandin Wangmo, said good governance is stronger when leadership reflects the diversity of the society it serves.
She said when women and men are equally represented in decision-making, it brings a wider range of perspectives, experiences, and priorities into public discussions.
“At the BCMD, we focus on creating spaces for dialogue, supporting aspiring women leaders to build their confidence and leadership skills, and encouraging greater civic participation. Through this initiative, BCMD has also established a network of aspiring women leaders,” she said.
Beginning this April, BCMD will be conducting a series of trainings to prepare and support these aspiring leaders as they consider contesting in the upcoming local government elections. These efforts aim to contribute to governance processes that are more inclusive, responsive, and truly representative of the communities they serve.
The Election Commission of Bhutan has also introduced measures to encourage greater participation by women in local elections. Through its Civic Education Programme, the Commission targets women, youth, students, and communities in both rural and urban areas.
Gender-responsive measures such as policy reviews, allowing candidates to be accompanied during campaigns, establishing local Functional Literacy Test centres, and holding common forums aim to reduce barriers that discourage women from contesting elections.
The Commission also works with political parties, local governments, and civil society organisations to provide leadership training and mentorship while tracking progress through gender-disaggregated data.
Signs of change
From Kinley Zangmo’s first hesitant step into politics to Dechen Zangmo’s narrow defeat turned victory, stories emerging from Bhutan’s villages suggest that attitudes may be gradually changing.
Voters appear increasingly willing to judge candidates by their capability rather than their gender.
Yet whether this marks a temporary rise in women leaders or the beginning of a deeper transformation in Bhutanese politics remains to be seen.
Namgay Tenzin, the former Toedpisa Gup, said that in the past, it was uncommon for women to take up positions such as gup, mangmi, or tshogpa. Today, however, that trend is gradually changing, with more women stepping into these leadership roles.
According to him, this reflects growing trust and confidence among voters in women’s leadership. “While the numbers are still not very encouraging, the lower representation is largely because fewer women come forward to contest these positions.”