Neten Zangmo


Neten Zangmo is a Bhutanese government official and politician. She headed Bhutan's Anti-Corruption Commission, and was the first woman in the country to be bestowed with the title of Dasho for her work. Since 29 May 2017 she is the leader of Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party.
Born in Bumthang and educated at Sherubtse public school in Trashigang, she started working for the Bhutanese state in 1985 as National Service Trainee and later progressed through the ranks of the Ministry of Education. Between 1986 and 1989 she served as the Vice-Principal of the Royal Bhutan Polytechnic; between 1990 and 1992 she served as the Principal of this institution. On 19 October 1990, she moved to the Royal Technical Institute, where she was the Principal until 1995. She became the Director of the Planning Commission in 1996 and occupied this post until 1999. Between 1999 and 2003 she served as Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat; and between 2003 and 2006 as Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She was appointed by King Jigme Singye Wangchuck as the Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption Commission on 4 January 2006.
As head of the Anti-Corruption Commission, she embarked on a fierce anti-corruption campaign, opening cases on many high-profile people. In a country where corruption did not carry a stigma, she worked to raise public awareness at the same time. She faced threats and insults in the process. However, the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, supported her and bestowed upon her the title of Dasho, making her the first woman to attain the title.
She has been described as "the Iron Lady of Bhutan" in sources and as "legendary" and "the most important woman in the country" by Bunty Avieson.