Dr. Karuna Onta

Karuna Onta holds a PhD in Social Psychology and Masters in Clinical Psychology. Karuna Onta has development experience of nearly three decades. Her professional experience ranges from teaching Psychology in Tribhuwan University, Kathmandu to working in National and International Non-Government Organizations in Nepal and other countries like India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Vietnam. The organizations include Family Planning Association of Nepal, Johns Hopkins University/Population Communication Services, Academy for Educational Development, CARE and UNICEF Regional Office of South Asia. Her last full-time job was with the Foreign and Common Wealth Development Office/British Embassy Kathmandu Nepal, where she served as a Social Development Advisor for eleven years.

She brings a variety technical expertise in the area of women empowerment, security and justice, gender-based violence, gender equality and social inclusion, social norms change, masculinity, modern slavery/trafficking, social protection and safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

In addition to being a board member at the Nepal Public Health Foundation, Karuna sits on the board of trustees of Freedom to Learn (a UK based charity), Great International (a Nepali private non-profit firm) and is a strategic advisor to Sajha Dhago (a non-profit private firm) working on trauma healing.

Karuna is currently working as a freelance consultant with the World Bank Nepal and the Swiss National Science Foundation, Switzerland.