Women and Stock Market in Nepal: The Rise of Financial Empowerment

Introduction: A Quiet Revolution in Nepal’s Stock Market

Once seen as a male-dominated space, the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) is now witnessing a powerful shift—more women are investing than ever before. From school teachers to entrepreneurs, urban professionals to rural cooperatives, Nepali women are entering the stock market to build wealth, secure their futures, and claim their space in finance.

This blog dives into the emerging role of women in Nepal’s stock market, the socio-economic transformation behind this rise, and how female investors are shaping the future of NEPSE.

1. The Numbers Speak: Growing Participation of Women in NEPSE

As of 2025, women hold:

• Over 38% of all DEMAT accounts in Nepal

• Significant stake in recent IPO applications (up to 45% participation)

• More than 5 million active MeroShare users—with over 40% being women

This shows a dramatic rise compared to 5–7 years ago, where female participation was limited to housewives investing through family accounts.

Factors Behind This Growth:

• Access to smartphones and online trading platforms (TMS, MeroShare)

• Government policies encouraging financial inclusion

• Social media awareness about investing

• Women-led cooperatives promoting group investments

• Financial literacy campaigns from NRB and NGOs

2. Breaking the Bias: Women as Smart, Long-Term Investors

Multiple studies (including global ones) show women:

• Trade less frequently, incurring fewer costs

• Focus on long-term goals rather than speculation

• Are risk-aware, not risk-averse

• Prefer diversified portfolios (e.g., mutual funds, insurance stocks)

This investment style suits NEPSE’s volatility perfectly. Women investors in Nepal often:

• Choose dividend-paying stocks (e.g., NLIC, BPCL, NABIL)

• Invest monthly in IPOs and mutual funds

• Reinvest dividends instead of cashing out

“I’m building my daughter’s education fund through stocks,” says Rina Shrestha, a nurse in Pokhara who began investing in hydropower shares in 2021.

3. IPO Craze and Women-Led Groups

One of the biggest doorways into stock investing for women in Nepal has been Initial Public Offerings (IPOs). Why?

• Minimum investment requirement (NPR 1,000–5,000)

• Low risk due to listing gain potential

• Shared community knowledge (e.g., women’s groups, cooperatives)

Example:

• Cooperative groups in Jhapa and Kavre mobilize hundreds of women to collectively apply for IPOs

• Women apply using family members’ DEMATs, increasing household financial participation

• Multiple women IPO investors report using profits to pay for school fees, home renovations, or gold purchases

4. Women Investors: Urban vs. Rural Trends

Even rural women, despite limited access to trading tools, are now applying for IPOs via mobile apps, supported by digital inclusion programs and cooperatives.

5. Challenges Women Still Face in Finance

Despite this progress, several challenges persist:

a. Financial Literacy Gap

• Many women lack formal financial education

• Depend on male family members or groups for investment decisions

b. Access to Trading Platforms

• Limited internet or device access in rural areas

• Complex interface of TMS discourages solo trading

c. Cultural Norms

• Finance still seen as a “man’s responsibility” in some households

• Women are often discouraged from taking “risks”

d. Time Constraints

• Managing household duties and careers leaves little time for market tracking or research

6. Key Sectors Favored by Female Investors

Based on DEMAT and transaction data, women in Nepal are investing in:

7. Women in Leadership in Nepal’s Capital Market

Women are not just investors—they’re also leading the capital market space.

Notable Examples:

• Ms. Laxmi Devi Pandey – Chairperson of multiple women-focused financial cooperatives

• Female CEOs in microfinance and insurance companies

• Board Representation in listed companies improving due to regulatory mandates

This representation encourages more women to trust the market and invest actively.

8. Building Wealth, Independence, and Empowerment

Investment is more than just profit. For women in Nepal, it represents:

• Financial Independence

• Wealth Creation for Future Goals

• Breaking Traditional Dependency Models

• Empowerment in Decision Making

Many female investors now manage family portfolios, advise friends, and even mentor other women in financial groups.

“Stocks gave me the confidence to speak about money,” says Mina Thapa, a 42-year-old cooperative leader from Chitwan.

9. Future of Women in NEPSE: Bright, Bold, and Balanced

The future holds massive potential:

What We Can Expect:

• Increase in female-focused mutual funds

• More women launching YouTube finance channels in Nepali

• Wider integration of stock investing in women’s cooperatives

• Growth of female stock market trainers and influencers

• Government support through targeted training programs

With digital literacy rising, financial tools becoming simpler, and platforms like Smart Chhori and NRB Women Finance Programs, the rise of women in the stock market is just beginning.

10. How to Get Started: Beginner’s Guide for Women Investors

If you’re a woman planning to start investing in NEPSE:

✅ Open a bank account and DEMAT (can be done online)
✅ Apply for IPOs via MeroShare
✅ Watch beginner-friendly content (YouTube: Nepali finance creators)
✅ Join cooperative groups or online forums for learning
✅ Start with mutual funds or blue-chip stocks
✅ Track your growth using Excel or investment apps

Conclusion: From Passive Savers to Powerful Investors

Nepali women are no longer just savers—they are becoming confident capital market participants. Whether it’s through IPOs, mutual funds, or long-term portfolios, women are:

• Diversifying their financial future

• Leading change in household investment decisions

• Inspiring the next generation of financially aware daughters

The rise of women in NEPSE is not just a statistic—it’s a sign of Nepal’s changing economy, society, and mindset.