Rekha Sunar, 42, has been elected as the Dalit women’s representative of Kohalpur Municipality Ward No. 3 in Banke for a second consecutive term. Recognising her commendable work in her first term, the CPN-UML unanimously nominated her again, and voters overwhelmingly supported her.
Rekha studied up to the eighth grade and married at 16. Though she could not continue her education, she managed household responsibilities while actively engaging in social work. Her husband, Purnabahadur Sunar, a dedicated UML worker, encouraged her to enter politics, making her transition easier.
During the 2017 local elections, UML’s Kohalpur municipal committee nominated her as the unopposed candidate for Dalit women’s representative in Ward No. 3. Her team, including the ward chairperson, secured a landslide victory, expanding her social work from neighborhoods to the ward level.
Rekha played a crucial role in infrastructure projects, including road construction, drainage systems, electricity poles, and irrigation boreholes. She also focused on open defecation-free initiatives, ensuring children’s school enrollment, resolving local disputes, and registering births.
Her approachable nature, patience in listening to people’s concerns, and impartial decision-making have made her extremely popular in Ward No. 3. Ward Chairperson Madhav Risal praises her leadership, saying, “She is not just a Dalit women’s representative but an established leader of our ward. She can run the office efficiently in my absence.”
Rekha understands the expectations people have from their elected representatives. She emphasises, “I patiently listen to the people. I don’t speak much; I let them express their concerns. I remain unbiased and act swiftly when possible.”
Her dedication to public service extends beyond political lines, earning her votes even from opposition supporters. Winning the same post consecutively is a challenge, yet Rekha secured her second victory by an even larger margin than in her first election.
Transforming challenges into opportunities
Born into a Dalit family, Rekha faced poverty and caste-based discrimination. She couldn’t continue her studies beyond eighth grade and married young. However, with her husband’s encouragement, she pursued politics and gained public trust.
She credits Nepal’s new constitution for transforming her life, enabling individuals like her to speak up and participate. She recalls how, as a child, she feared speaking to strangers and would walk with her head down. But today, she confidently addresses large crowds.
Her recognition goes beyond her own political party. She receives invitations to various district and village events and is treated with respect in society—something she considers a major achievement for Dalit women who have historically faced marginalisation.
Rekha believes poverty and lack of education are the root causes of caste-based discrimination. Wealthier and educated Dalits face less discrimination, while the poor and uneducated suffer the most. Her solution? Economic empowerment and education for marginalised communities.
Overcoming limitations and leading development
After winning her first election, Rekha believed she could achieve significant change, but she soon realised the limitations of budget constraints. Despite this, her team has accomplished substantial work within available resources.
She ensures the ward office remains accessible, visiting regularly with other representatives. She also assists citizens in obtaining citizenship certificates and leads initiatives like the Janata Awas Program, building houses for 10 extremely poor Dalit families.
Her leadership extends to road graveling, drainage systems, electricity installation, water supply, and irrigation—projects crucial for underprivileged communities. She also advocates for dispute resolution and citizen rights, often engaging with law enforcement.
Rekha has served as acting ward chairperson multiple times, highlighting the trust and responsibility she carries. She dreams of creating community spaces, including a hall for social gatherings, a park for the elderly, and a dedicated facility for funeral rites to support vulnerable citizens.
She sums up her leadership philosophy: “Elected representatives must be available when people need them. I strive to be there, to listen, and to act.”
