Take five: From Bhojpur, Nepal to headquarters: Rabin’s journey of purpose and possibility

Date: Tuesday, 16 June 2026

Author: Sangharsha Panta

A person stands facing the camera in front of a white wall with a large blue “UN Women” logo and emblem. The person is wearing a light-colored, short-sleeved shirt and a dark lanyard with “UN Women” text. The background is clean and plain, with the logo placed above and behind the person.

Rabin Rai at the UN Women Nepal office in Lalitpur, Nepal, a proud milestone in a journey driven by purpose, perseverance and commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment. Photo: UN Women/Neeti Pradhan

UN Women Nepal believes that when young people are given opportunities and space to grow, they can become powerful agents of change. Rabin Rai’s journey reflects that belief. Coming from a remote village in Bhojpur, Nepal and belonging to an Indigenous minority community of Nepal, he began his professional journey through the UN Traineeship Programme for young people from historically marginalized communities. What started as an unexpected opportunity became a journey shaped by learning, purpose and commitment to gender equality. As Rabin moves on to his new role as Results-Based Management (RBM) Analyst at UN Women Headquarters in Bonn, Germany, UN Women Nepal proudly celebrates his achievements and the inspiring path he has created for other young people in Nepal.

Please share how your journey with UN Women Nepal influenced your professional direction?

I come from a village of Bhojpur, one of the remote rural areas of Nepal where opportunities like this felt very far away, so I never imagined myself working for the United Nations. I was preparing for a career in banking and finance when I came across the UN Traineeship Programme. Being selected became a turning point in my life.

At first, development work was unfamiliar to me, but learning about UN Women’s work on gender equality connected deeply with my own experiences growing up and witnessing discriminatory norms in my community. That gave me a strong sense of purpose and inspired me to continue contributing towards a more equal society.

What have been the most important learning moments along the way?

One of the biggest lessons for me has been embracing UN values and feminist principles in both work and life. As a man working for gender equality, I often reflected on my own role within society and family, which made the journey deeply personal.

Another important lesson has been “learning by doing.” UN Women Nepal gave me opportunities to grow across planning, monitoring and evaluation, youth engagement, partnerships and coordination, which continuously expanded my perspective and skills.

How have these diverse experiences shaped your approach to work?

Working across different portfolios taught me to stay flexible, collaborative and open to learning. Beyond my core Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (PM&E) role, I also supported coordination and resource mobilization during transition phases, which helped me better understand the broader impact of UN Women’s work.

These experiences strengthened my strategic and analytical thinking and reminded me that growth often happens when we step outside our comfort zone.

How has your experience in Nepal prepared you for your new role as RBM Analyst at UN Women Headquarters?

My experience with UN Women Nepal built the foundation for this transition. Through leading PM&E work, developing RBM tools, supporting capacity-building initiatives such as Sahayatra, empowering partnerships, and contributing to gender-responsive and RBM-compliant UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework processes, I gained both technical expertise and confidence for this new role.

Three people are gathered around a desk in an office. One person is seated and pointing at a computer screen, while two others stand beside the desk looking at the screen. There is a laptop, a keyboard, and a mouse on the desk. Several potted plants and folders are placed behind the desk. The space is well-lit with a clean and organized layout.

Rabin shares insights with colleagues at the UN Women Nepal office, reflecting the collaborative learning, teamwork and growth that shaped his journey from Bhojpur, Nepal to UN Women Headquarters in Bonn, Germany. Photo: UN Women/Neeti Pradhan

What message would you share with young professionals in Nepal?

If you come from a marginalized community and are looking for a place to begin your career, I encourage you to explore opportunities like the UN Traineeship Programme and UN Volunteers programme.

My message is simple: stay curious, stay open to learning and do not be afraid to try something outside of your original plan. Believe in your strengths, learn from challenges and connect your work with something you truly care about. When your work has purpose, the journey becomes meaningful.