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Officially, there is no gender divide in Bhutan. Traditionally, women in this mainly matriarchal society have inherited their parents’ property and husbands often move into their wives’ homes after marriage. Constitutionally, women are guaranteed equal rights. And yet, says Lily Wangchhuk, the first and only woman president of any political party in Bhutan, in practice, there are “huge gender gaps”.
Wangchhuk, 40, single and professionally successful, quit her job as the first executive director of the Bhutan Media Foundation to lead the Druk Chirwang Tshogpa party. She says her decision to contest the elections was part of her “pact with God” after she had overcome a personal battle with cancer.
We invite you to read the full article published August 10, 2013
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Officially, there is no gender divide in Bhutan. Traditionally, women in this mainly matriarchal society have inherited their parents’ property and husbands often move into their wives’ homes after marriage. Constitutionally, women are guaranteed equal rights. And yet, says Lily Wangchhuk, the first and only woman president of any political party in Bhutan, in practice, there are “huge gender gaps”.
Wangchhuk, 40, single and professionally successful, quit her job as the first executive director of the Bhutan Media Foundation to lead the Druk Chirwang Tshogpa party. She says her decision to contest the elections was part of her “pact with God” after she had overcome a personal battle with cancer.
We invite you to read the full article published August 10, 2013
News
Region