Chandni Joshi

Dallas, Texas, USA
Chandni Joshi gave a speech and soft launched her book to the Nepali Diaspora in the US.

Introduction

HNSA's Enforcer, Ms. Chandni Joshi is a Gender, Rights and Policy Specialist with over 56 years of experience. In her initial years, she served as the Joint Secretary as well as the Chief of Women Development Program for the Government of Nepal. During her tenure, she initiated the pioneering Production Credit for Rural Women (PCRW) Programme that was the first economic empowerment program in Nepal. She has contributed immensely to gender-responsive budgets in South Asia. In 1990, she set up the UNIFEM South Asia Regional Office and devoted 18 years into moulding it into a knowledge-based organisation. As the Regional Director, she took UNIFEM's development agenda forward by supporting innovative and experimental programmes benefiting excluded women. In 2017, the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare, Government of Nepal appointed Ms. Joshi as the Coordinator of the Think Tank of the Ministry. Presently, she is the Senior National Advisor for UN Women Nepal. She has received several awards and was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the President of Nepal in 2009

Testimonial

“Chandni ji's main aim was to bring difference through a pragmatic way. She never stood up for protest because she knew it would not make a difference that way. She knew exactly what and how she had to talk with bureaucrats and that's another reason why today in every sector be it Women's development, Gender Budget, Migration, or Violence against Women I can see Chandni ji's contribution.”

Dr. Ganesh Gurung

Founding Chairperson of Nepal Institute of Development Studies (NIDS) and Former Member of National Planning Commission, Nepal

“It is her experience and a vast source of knowledge that has been very useful for UNIFEM's work not only in the region but also globally for sound programming. Chandni ji never thought for herself as she was always busy working on the ground, making things happen and she had no time for petty politics. As a Chief of the Asia Pacific Section, I could see the time and effort that she put in her flagship programmes Anti Trafficking, Migration, Home Based Workers, Gender Budget, Feminization of Poverty and Peace programmes.”

Ms. Kunzang Chungyalpa

Former Chief of Asia Pacific Region UNIFEM, New York

"I have heard people say "Women should be like Chandni ji." In the time when society did not let women go out on their own, Chandni ji would travel to villages and meet women officers (WDOs) and motivate them and spread awareness.She is a complete feminist - a scientific feminist-not someone who just talks but someone who can walk the talk. She did not use any favours or influence during her years with the government. She was among few who stayed in the office for a long term making bigger changes. She was also the first person to attract global donors in the women development sector."

Mr. Krishna Hari Baskota

Former Chief Information Commissioner, National Information Commission & Former Secretary of Finance, Nepal

“Chandni Joshi comes out as a unique professional, unique person, enormously gifted in terms of good administrative skills, extremely experienced, knowledgeable about issues and concerned about development; and also the drive and relentless passionate commitment to bring about the change in the lives of people. She has an excellent understanding of cross sectoral issues; she has an excellent understanding of issues that affect the lives of women in particular, the most vulnerable section of society and issues that cut across not just the social development areas, but of course, economic areas as well. I've admired her greatly for the work she's done and I think she's a leader!"