Women rights advocate Bandana Rana has been awarded with an international Women Distinction Award for her contribution in gender equality and women empowerment in the country and beyond.

The NGO Committee on the Status of Women, New York (NGOCSW/NY, one of the three women’s committees of the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the UN awarded Rana for her extensive role in raising women issues both at national and international arena. NGO CSW/NY is a volunteer-based, non-profit NGO funded largely by individual contributions.

Rana is one of the key leaders of the women's movement in Nepal and has been actively engaged in promoting women’s rights and gender equality for more than 25 years. She is also the Founder Convenor of the National Network for Beijing Review and the Founder Coordinator of the National Network against Domestic Violence. Rana has served as chair of National Women’s Commission in Nepal.