As part of modernization and meeting the challenges of the 21st century, the Nepalese Army has transformed into an equal opportunities employer and has actively started enrolling women soldiers for different tasks and appointments. Even though the concept of women soldiers is not new in the Nepalese Army, it has never before reached the proportions of today. Nepalese Army has been recruiting women soldiers for the last forty years. Today women soldiers are viewed as equals to their male counterparts in executing any given tasks. The total number of women in the Nepalese Army at present is 1070. The Army aims to maintain a 5 per cent female work force. Listed below are some of the fields in which women soldiers are on active duty:
- Nursing Service: Nepalese Army started recruiting women nurses since 2018 BS. Today women constitute about 22 per cent of the total staff at Birendra Military Hospital.
- Medical Doctor: The first lady doctor was enrolled in 2026 BS. Today, the Nepalese Army has more than 52 lady doctors including a Brigadier General in active service.
- Engineers: Nepalese Army started recruiting women engineers since 2061. Women engineers currently work as Civil and Computer Engineers
- Legal Service: The legal service opened up for women in 2055 BS. Since then, there has been a steady influx of lady officers in the Nepalese Army Legal Department.
- Parachute Folders in the Parachute Regiment: Women were enrolled as parachute folders since 2022 BS. Parajumping for women para folders commenced in 2026 BS and the practice has been continuing to date.
Since 2060 BS, a number of other services have opened up for women soldiers. They are as follows:
- Military Police: Women soldiers have been active in the military police, a service which looks after the maintenance of discipline in the Army.
- Signalers: Today more and more women are working as signalers.
- Office staffs: No office is complete without the support of the office staffs who play a vital role in the manual transfer of important documents and daily maintenance of the office premises. Today women soldiers are largely responsible for such jobs in the Army.
- Army Band: Women soldiers have shouldered their fair share of ceremonial duties through the Army Band.
- Military Drivers: Today women soldiers are slowly taking over the job of driving light vehicles.
- Military Clerks: Women have been involved in important clerical jobs in the Army since 2026.
- Aircraft Technicians: Women soldiers have found employment in the Air Service too.
- Combat and Combat Support Arms: 621 women of various ranks are currently employed in various combat and combat support arms.
Inclusion of Female in Nepalese Army:
Female enrolment in Nepalese Army began in 1962. Current status of women participation in the Nepalese Army is shown in the table below.
Participation of Female in Nepalese Army
Source: Adjutant General Department (Record Office).
S.No. |
Casts/ Community
|
Officer 1st Class |
Officer 2nd Class |
Officer 3rd Class |
Junior Commission Officer |
Non-Commission Officer |
Other Ranks |
Total |
% |
| 1. |
Brahmin |
|
|
25 |
32 |
55 |
54 |
166 |
15.52 |
| 2. |
Chhetri |
3 |
9 |
90 |
35 |
179 |
195 |
511 |
47.75 |
| 3. |
Rai |
|
3 |
4 |
1 |
5 |
10 |
23 |
2.15 |
| 4. |
Gurung |
|
2 |
11 |
1 |
4 |
15 |
33 |
3.08 |
| 5. |
Magar |
|
|
5 |
1 |
12 |
34 |
52 |
4.86 |
| 6. |
Damai |
|
|
|
|
1 |
9 |
10 |
0.95 |
| 7. |
Newar |
1 |
3 |
26 |
28 |
45 |
46 |
149 |
13.9 |
| 8. |
Sarki |
|
|
|
1 |
|
3 |
4 |
0.38 |
| 9. |
Thakuri |
|
1 |
14 |
4 |
4 |
17 |
40 |
3.74 |
| 10. |
Tharu, Rajbansi |
|
|
1 |
|
5 |
4 |
10 |
0.95 |
| 11. |
Kuman |
|
|
|
|
1 |
4 |
5 |
0.42 |
| 12. |
Giri Yogi |
|
|
|
|
4 |
3 |
7 |
0.65 |
| 13. |
Bishokarma |
|
|
|
|
1 |
4 |
5 |
0.42 |
| 14. |
Gharti |
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
3 |
0.28 |
| 15. |
Sherpa, Thakali |
|
|
|
|
2 |
1 |
3 |
0.28 |
| 16. |
Muslim |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
0.09 |
| 17. |
Tamang |
|
|
2 |
|
17 |
23 |
42 |
3.93 |
| 18. |
Pasawan |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
1 |
0.09 |
| 19. |
Limbu |
|
|
1 |
|
|
4 |
5 |
0.42 |
| |
Total |
4 |
18 |
180 |
103 |
335 |
430 |
1070 |
|
In Nepalese Army there are total of 1070 female all ranks which make 1.2% of the total army strength. Nepal Army aims to maintain 5% female work force of the total strength of the army. Among total officers of Nepalese Army female officers occupy 6.44 %. Junior Commission and Non- Commission Female Officer occupy 18.87% and 9.62% respectively in total female strength.
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