Centre for Research on Bhutanese Society-CRBS

31/03/2025

Capacity Building on Women’s Participation in Elections

CRBS organized a Training on Capacity Building for Women’s Participation in Elections on 25-26 March 2025 at Hotel Nordenma, Babesa Thimphu funded by EU and Helvetas Bhutan. Some 20 participants from different Dzongkhags attended the Training that was opened by the CRBS Chairperson, Ambassador (retd.) Sonam T. Rabgye. He observed that, among other recommendations, the CRBS Study carried out in 2024 on Factors attributing to Poor Women Participation in Politics “emphasized the urgent need for targeted initiatives to empower potential female candidates, which indeed is the rationale for the Training.”

Globally, according to UN Women, only 27.2% of parliamentarians in lower houses were females as of January 2025, and it would take another forty years for reaching a gender parity. In Asia, UAE is the only country that has 50% of women representation in parliament. In South Asia, the highest number of women in legislature in 2023 was in Nepal with 33%, while Bhutan had only about 17%.

He also recalled that against the above backdrop, South Asia had seen highly capable women politicians since the 1960s. In fact, Sirimao Bandaranayke of Sri Lanka became the first woman head of government in 1960 followed by Indira Gandhi in India in 1966. Pakistan and Bangladesh also had women executive heads in the past.

Ambassador Rabgye also mentioned that according to a study, countries with quota for women had done better by 5% compared to those without quota.

Former politician and founder of Druk Chirwang Tshogpa, Aum Lily Wangchuk made a passionate appeal to the young participants to partake in elections for increasing gender representation in national parliament and local governments despite various challenges that women candidates face. For, the journey was worth it even if one did not win. Similar calls were made by former parliamentarians, Dasho Lhaki Dolma (NC-Punakha), Dasho Dil Maya Rai (NA-Tashichhoeling) and Dasho Sonam Pelzom (NC-Mongar) in their presentations. Representatives from the Election Commission, NCWC and RENEW also spoke in the training updating their measures towards gender parity and increased female participation in elections.

The second day was lively with interactive discussions following group works on tools for successful campaigning, media and networking and creation of action plans for elections including mock sessions. The participants requested CRBS to conduct more similar trainings and extend them to different parts of the country.

28/03/2025

To shatter cultural and social barriers that have long kept them from leadership roles, 20 young and determined women from across the country are learning

17/03/2025

The Centre for Research on Bhutanese Society (CRBS) is conducting Training on Capacity Building for Women interested in Elections. The training will be held on 25 and 26 of March, 2025. We invite interested candidates to register for the training by 5 P.M on Wednesday, 19 March 2025 by completing fo...

13/03/2025

📣 Announcement

The Centre for Research on Bhutanese Society (CRBS) is conducting Training on Capacity Building for Women interested in Elections. The training will be held on 25 and 26 of March, 2025 at Hotel Nordenma, Babesa Expressway, Thimphu, Tel. 02351044. We invite interested candidates to register for the training by 5 P.M on Wednesday, 19 March 2025 by completing following registration form https://forms.gle/EQH8JQq7NSKTKAvX9

For further information please visit our website http://www.druksocialresearch.org/ or contact at 17469963

The Centre for Research on Bhutanese Society (CRBS) was formally established as a non-profit (CSO) on 30 July 2020. It focuses on design, conduct and reporting of research on social phenomena in Bhutan.

18/12/2024

Validation Workshop

On 13th December 2024, CRBS successfully conducted a validation workshop on the research topic: “Understanding the Barriers to Women’s Political Participation in Bhutan.”

This workshop, funded by Helvetas Bhutan, provided valuable insights and fostered meaningful discussions to address challenges and create pathways for greater representation of women in Bhutanese politics.

01/10/2024

Centre for Research on Bhutanese Society (CRBS), Thimphu

Lecture by Ms. Nilanthi Samaranayake, Visiting Expert,
US Institute of Peace, Washington DC
on
India Ocean Security,
Hotel Thimphu Deluxe,
26 September 2024

The article summarizes a lecture on Indian Ocean security, delivered by Ms. Nilanthi Samaranayake, a visiting expert from the US Institute of Peace, at an event hosted by the Centre for Research on Bhutanese Society (CRBS) in Thimphu on September 26, 2024.

Welcoming the guest participants Mr. Achyut Bhandari, Co-Founder of CRBS, highlighted the importance of security in the Indian Ocean for Bhutan and other SAARC and BIMSTEC member countries. (Retd.) Ambassador Sonam T. Rabgye, Chairperson of CRBS and the lecture moderator, spoke on how landlocked countries like Bhutan and Nepal can collaborate with other countries in the region to contribute to Indian Ocean security as they are heavily depended on it for their maritime trade.

Ms. Samaranayake's lecture covered the roles of both large and small nations in global maritime affairs, focusing on the US’s interest in maintaining peace and stability in the Indian Ocean. She also discussed the role of India and other hinterland and littoral countries in ensuring security in the region. She observed that as the largest power in South Asia, USA looks towards India as a leader in promoting security in Indian Ocean that has largely remained without major problems so far. Both India and USA have strengthened their bilateral cooperation for this purpose in recent years. With its global interests, USA cannot be present at all strategic locations and so it forges partnerships with countries like India and the QUAD group consisting of Australia and Japan apart from them.

Interesting discussion took place after Samaranayake's lecture as she interacted with some members of the audience while responding to and commenting on their questions and viewpoints .

In closing the discussion, the moderator said that the key takeaway from the lecture is for Bhutan to undertake research studies and collaborate with other countries in the region on projects related to Indian Ocean security in the future .

30/09/2024

The Indian Ocean is pivotal in Bhutan’s economic landscape, acting as a gateway for international trade through India and Bangladesh. In a recent lecture in the capital, a visiting expert from the United States Institute of Peace stated that the Indian Ocean can enhance connectivity across South a...

16/08/2024

In a recent talk show at the Mountain Echoes Festival held at the Royal University of Bhutan auditorium on August 5, 2024 at Thimphu, CRBS Chairperson, Dasho Sonam T. Rabgye engaged in a conversation with former Indian diplomat, Ambassador Navtej Sarna, discussing Sarna's new novel, Stories of Nations and Crimson Spring. The novel, which delves into the tragic Jallianwala Bagh Massacre of 1919 in Amritsar, India, serves as a focal point for exploring broader themes of colonial history and the resilience of Punjab. Dasho Rabgye drew a poignant parallel for the Bhutanese audience, likening the massacre's proximity to the Golden Temple in Amritsar to a similar tragedy occurring next to Bhutan’s sacred Taktsang monastery during a major festival.

During the discussion, Dasho Rabgye highlighted the depth of Sarna's narrative, which extends beyond the historical event to capture the essence of Punjab's vibrant culture and the indomitable spirit of its people. Quoting Namita Gokhale, he remarked on the novel's powerful evocation of the Punjabi "qissa" tradition, praising its portrayal of the region's vitality and the people’s determination. The conversation also touched on Sarna’s inspiration and the extensive research that underpins the novel. Dasho Rabgye encouraged the young Bhutanese audience to read the book, emphasizing its value in understanding history and its emotional impact.

18/07/2024

Internship Opportunity:

CRBS is delighted to offer two numbers of research internship for individuals who are passionate about fostering the development of bhutanese society.

This internship provides opportunity to gain hands- on experience in research and work closely with our dedicated research team.

Apply before July 29, 2024
[email protected]

16/07/2024

CRBS conducted its 12th Board of Trustees Meeting on 29 June 2024. The meeting was convened to take stock of progress in the last quarter and discuss any emerging matters concerning CRBS. The BoT endorsed the Minutes of previous BoT meeting of CRBS. Meaningful discussions that followed to enhance the organizations goal and aspirations.