Dwarika Devi Thakurani

Dwarika Devi Thakurani (Nepali: द्वारिकादेवी ठकुरानी) was a Nepali politician, the first Nepali woman to be elected to parliament and the first woman to become a cabinet minister.

Career

Thakurani was elected to parliament in the first democratic election of Nepal, held in February 1959. She was a candidate from Constituency No. 66, Dadeldhura District for Nepali Congress. Following the election, she was also appointed deputy minister of Health and Local Self-governance on 27 May 1959 in the BP Koirala cabinet. She was the only woman elected to the parliament (out of 15 that ran) as well as cabinet. This made her the first Nepali woman to the parliament and the first Nepali woman minister.