According to a recent study on a project centered on women in public administration, Bhutan wants to raise the percentage of women in decision-making positions within the civil service to 30% by 2029. By removing current obstacles that prevent women from holding leadership roles, the project seeks to promote gender equality in public administration. Although Bhutan is one of the least developed nations and small island states, its gender infrastructure, including NCWC, is constrained by restructuring and a lack of accountability mechanisms. Effective sex-based discrimination efforts are hampered by ambiguous definitions and low awareness, according to the study, which also emphasizes the need for women’s leadership development and training. It also highlights gender issues among HR officials and workplace harassment.
Bhutan has created an action plan to improve work-life balance, create gender-balanced interview panels, update the Civil Service Rules, increase awareness, incorporate gender equality training, fortify the National Gender Equality Policy, and improve coordination among gender equality mechanisms. There are also plans for regular meetings with senior management and agency heads. Experts advise Bhutan to set up coordination systems and define institutional roles. In Bhutan, Lao PDR, Mauritius, and Senegal, national reviews found obstacles to women’s leadership in public administration. The study describes the tactics these nations have used to increase the representation and leadership of women in public institutions.
