KATHMANDU, MAY 15 Nepal marked the first International Day of Women in Industry with a special focus on women's leadership in the country's honey sector. The event, titled 'Women in Honey Industry: Dialogue and Exhibition,' was organised by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) under the Norway-funded GMAP Nepal Project, in collaboration with the Centre for Industrial Entomology Development (CIED) and the Federation of Women Entrepreneurs' Associations of Nepal. The programme brought together women entrepreneurs, cooperatives, technical experts and development partners to highlight women's growing role across Nepal's honey value chain-from beekeeping and processing to branding and marketing. The International Day of Women in Industry was proclaimed through a resolution adopted by the UNIDO General Conference during the Global Industry Summit 2025 in Riyadh, reflecting a global push to enhance women's participation in industrial sectors. Organisers said women in Nepal's honey industry continue to face challenges such as limited market access, low visibility, and restricted networking opportunities. The event was designed to address these gaps through dialogue, exhibitions and business networking. A panel discussion, facilitated by UNIDO representative Manju Chhetri, focused on strengthening the honey value chain through improved quality standards, branding, export readiness and institutional coordination. Panelists, including experts and industry stakeholders, stressed the need for stronger quality infrastructure, product diversification and better linkages between producers and buyers to improve competitiveness in domestic and international markets. A key highlight of the programme was the recognition of seven women entrepreneurs-one from each province-for their contribution to Nepal's honey industry. The initiative, led by CIED with provincial coordination, aimed to promote women-led enterprises and encourage wider participation in beekeeping and honey-based businesses. The event also featured an exhibition of honey and honey-based products from women-led enterprises across the country, with around 80 participants including buyers, private sector representatives and development partners. Organisers from UNIDO GMAP Nepal, FWEAN and CIED said the initiative aims to strengthen inclusive market systems, enhance visibility of women entrepreneurs and promote sustainable growth in Nepal's honey sector.