Face to Face
The Himalayan Times sits down with Dr Sunoor Verma, a seasoned leadership and strategy consultant who has spent his career challenging the status quo on gender equality. He has insisted on gender-balanced teams, called out organisations for failing to practise what they preach on equal representation, and fearlessly addressed taboos like menstruation and menopause in professional settings. With experience spanning Europe, Asia, and Australia in low-, middle-and high-income environments, his perspective is both global and deeply personal
You worked with top government officials and elected leaders in Nepal. How do donors affect gender equality policies in Nepal, which relies on international aid?
SV: In a country substantially dependent on international help, donor practices within their organisations strongly affect national policies. Many Nepali donor agencies lack gender equity in their internal systems. Women are often at lesser levels, whereas men dominate leadership. A glance at donor-funded events, panel discussions, and policy roundtables shows the lack of women in decision-making positions. Despite signing multiple statements, many UN agencies and foreign organisations in Kathmandu fail to promote women's involvement. They usually only include women by making them masters of ceremonies or last-minute additions to group photos. These organisations must raise the bar and live the transformation they preach. If international agencies don't prioritise gender equality internally, how can national institutions?
Dr Verma, you've advocated for women's rights in the workplace for decades. What shaped your perspective on this issue?
SV: I grew up in a household where women had important responsibilities, not just as carers but also as decision-makers. I witnessed the brilliance, resilience, and leadership that women bring to all aspects of their lives. It astounded me that the world outside my home did not mirror that equilibrium. Early in my career, I realised that unless someone actively advocates for equality, many workplaces' default setting is to marginalise women. That realisation transformed me into an unabashed advocate for gender balance in leadership.
During my days as a cardiothoracic surgeon, it became apparent to me that for patient outcomes to be optimal, the entire team needs to work flawlessly. If women and men do not have the exact same opportunities in the workplace, there is no way the team can deliver excellence.
Where do you draw inspiration from in your work for gender equality?
SV: My wife, daughters, sister, and mother, all fiercely independent and outspoken, inspire me the most and keep me on my toes. Their perseverance and clarity influence my leadership and advocacy. I also owe a lot to my Boston University global health students, who bravely challenged my views and helped me grow.
I get inspiration from literature. Some of my favourite authors, Kamala Markandaya, Simone de Beauvoir, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Meena Kandasamy, and Jhumpa Lahiri, have shaped my views on gender and power. These works reflect women's experiences in varied circumstances and emphasise the urgency of this fight.
In Nepal, I was inspired, among others, by the work of Ani Choying Drolma, Justice Sapna Malla, Ambassador Felicity Volk, Shivangi Pradhan, Dr Radhika Thapaliya and Dr Mimi Giri, all of whom have made amazing contributions in their domains. And in the political sphere, I must acknowledge one of the very few consistent champions of women's rights in elected office-Rt Hon Mr Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, former Chairperson of Nepal's National Assembly. His steadfast commitment to women's voice in governance has been unparalleled and real.
You've been known to call out organisations that fail to practise what they preach on gender equality. What drives you to be so outspoken?
SV: I believe in integrity-you must act on your beliefs. I've seen too many companies celebrate International Women's Day with spectacular speeches but have mostly male boardrooms.
Applauding symbolic acts without demanding accountability maintains the status quo. I call them out, even if it's awkward. International agencies have enormous influence in Nepal, making this crucial. Before they perceive change, they must change themselves.
What concrete steps can organisations take to ensure they genuinely support gender equality beyond tokenistic efforts?
SV: Measure and publicise gender representation data-transparency leads to accountability. Second, audit gender pay regularly and act on results. Third, clear leadership paths for women must be established. Finally, confront workplace culture concerns like sexism, bullying, and hiring bias. Action is needed, not hollow promises. In Nepal, international bodies should set an example. Women should lead policy discussions, make decisions, and shape growth, not just remain in the background.
You have openly discussed menstruation and menopause in the workplace - topics many leaders shy away from. Why is this important?
SV: Ignoring these truths causes workplaces to exclude women by design. Menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause are workplace issues, not women's issues. Leaders must incorporate these realities into policies. Workplaces should be created for everyone, including males, with flexible work options, hygiene items, and menopausal discussions. This is true everywhere, especially in Nepal, where many concerns remain taboo. International organisations here should challenge these taboos rather than reinforce them with silence.
You've spent years demanding that leaders be held accountable for gender equity in the workplace. What is your message to leaders reading this interview?
SV: No more false promises. If you value gender equality, show it. Provide your numbers, fix pay inequalities, hire and promote women equally, and create an inclusive workplace. Give way to someone who will if you won't. Action, not lip service. And to Nepal's international agencies: lead, not lag. Start gender equality with yourself.
Books recommended by Dr Sunoor
The Second Sex
Beauvoir argues "the fundamental source of women's oppression is its (femininity's) historical and social construction as the quintessential" Other. Beauvoir defines women as the "second sex" because women are defined as inferior to men.
Invisible Women
British feminist author Caroline Criado Perez describes the adverse effects on women caused by gender bias in big data collection.
Nectar in A Sieve
Kamala Markandaya tells the story of a simple peasant woman in a primitive village in India whose whole life is a gallant and persistent battle to care for those she loves.
Woman's Dictionary of Symbols and Sacred Objects
A dictionary of feminine symbols and important objects in history and mythology with accompanying illustrations.