About Chairperson
Chairperson’s Profile
Sangita Nirola
Chairperson, Swati
Email: sangita.nirola@gmail.com
Cell No: 9851033038
With a Master Degree in Peace and Justice from University of San Diego, CA, USA Sangita brings over eighteen years of experience in development sector. Serving community and reaching out the needy has always been her passion. She believes economic independence is the key for empowerment of women. With this concept she established a NGO named Swati in 2002 and enabled many conflict -affected women to be economically independent through various skill trainings and market linkage programs. She believes women are equally capable of doing things but they lack opportunities and given them a platform, they can excel the world. As Executive Director of Swati, Sangita has implemented various projects on economic empowerment and good governance and worked closely with Ministry of Women Children and Social Welfare, Ministry of Local Development and various donors such as USAID, DFID, ADB, JFPR, SNV,GFW .
In her previous experience , Sangita worked as GESI( Gender Equality and Social Inclusion ) Director for the USAID Sajhedari –Support to Federalism (STF) project under Abt.Associates contract. USAID Sajhedari –STF project provides technical assistance to Government of Nepal in transitioning from a unitary state to a federation of provinces with more effective, accountable, responsive and inclusive local governance.
Sangita has successfully managed the overall operations for HelpAge International and International Relief and Development as the Country Director for both the organizations. With HelpAge International She got the opportunity to work for the rights of elderly population in Nepal. Likewise She has previous experience working closely with various ministries including Ministry of Women Children and Social Welfare, Ministry of Health
and Population, Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development and Ministry of Finance. While with SNV-Netherlands, She also managed two projects on economic empowerment of women. Likewise, while working for an Asian Development Bank project, She worked closely with women and children from the conflict affected areas to ensure their social protection by looking after their economic, health and education condition. Sangita has also managed three good governance projects funded by USAID, DFID/ESP and Danida-HUGOU.
Also, as the Executive Director of Swati a National level Non Governmental Organization (NGO), She has designed and managed multiple projects, oversaw research and supported with the publications of various publications on conflict transformation, sustainable peace, entrepreneurship development, good governance and gender equality. With Sangta’s tireless efforts Swati was awarded from Global Fund for women – USA, USAID Nepal, ESP/DFID, Danida HUGOU, and SNV. Sangita also has sound knowledge and experience with administration and financial management under her previous work experiences.
Sangita’s expertise was also recognized with the ‘Woman Manager of the Year Award, 2007’ awarded by the Management Association Nepal for being the best woman Manager. Also in 2007, She was awarded for IVLP ( International Visitor Leadership Program by Embassy of United States in Nepal and got the privileged of experiencing the various entrepreneurship programs in five states Texas, Los Angeles, Washington DC, New Orleans, Maine. Sangita is among the first five Women Country Directors heading International NGO in Nepal. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science and Masters Degree in Peace and Justice from Tribhuvan University , Nepal and University of San Diego, CA, USA respectively.