Meet Nepal's Democracy Defender

Speeches Shim

Archana Tamang is a strong advocate for equality and inclusion of all Nepalis in the governance process. After the 2015 earthquake, the country mobilized one of the largest homeowner driven housing reconstruction programs in the world. USAID also aims to ensure that women and marginalized communities have equal access to reconstruction resources and are included in the governance process. Archana has made it a priority to ensure that the voices of women and marginalized communities are heard in the decision making process. Nepal reiterated its commitment to a more inclusive and transparent governance system by adopting a new constitution in 2015, and in 2017 successfully completing the first local elections in 20 years. With USAID assistance, more than 1.7 million Nepalis — more than 10 percent of total eligible voters, most of whom are women or members of marginalized groups — registered to vote for the first time in the last election, which saw a record 75 percent voter turnout.