KATHMANDU, MARCH 19

Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens, Bhagbati Chaudhary has said the government of Nepal has been carrying out activities keeping the issues of women and children on top priority.

Addressing the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women in the United Nations in New York on Monday, Minister Chaudhary stressed that inclusive and sustainable development is critical to achieving gender equality and empowerment of women.

She mentioned that multiple challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts, climate change, cost of living crisis, current food, fuel and fertilizer crises, and debt distress have disproportionately affected women and girls.

Highlighting the notable progress made by Nepal in narrowing gender disparities, Minister Chaudhary underlined that Nepal has always accorded the highest priority to the rights and issues of women and girls, including the rights to family matters and property, reads a press statement issued by Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations, New York, on March 18.

'Nepal is committed to fostering a 'gender accountable' governance system. We have introduced different women-targeted schemes, and ensured equal pay for equal work for both women and men', she said.

Emphasizing the need for an enhanced level of external support to address the multiple challenges women and girls are facing, the Minister urged the international community and development partner to fulfill their ODA commitment, along with climate financing, technology transfer, and capacity building, according to the statement.

The 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women is being held from 11 to 22 March 2024 under the theme 'Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective'.

The Nepali delegation to the Session led by Minister Chaudhary includes members of the National Planning Commission and National Women Commission, Secretary of the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens Suman Raj Aryal, Nepal's Permanent Representative to the UN Lok Bahadur Thapa, and senior government officials.