KATHMANDU, MARCH 6
Nepal will present a report at Beijing+30 Review meeting to be held from March 10 to 25 in New York covering 12 critical areas of concerns.
The National Network for Beijing Review Nepal (NNBN) and the Forum for Women, Law, and Development (FWLD) are preparing the report on behalf of civil society.
Advocate Binu Lama from FWLD shared details about the subjects included in the 82-page report that covers Women and poverty, education and training of women, women and health, violence against women, women and armed conflict, women and the economy, women in power and decision-making, institutional mechanisms for the advancement of women, human rights of women, women and the media, women and environment and the girl child.
Executive Director of FWLD Advocate Sabin Shrestha said that the report encompasses all relevant issues, including the human rights of migrant women and sex workers.
He said the Beijing+30 Review presented an opportunity to strengthen the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and other global commitments for gender equality.
Senior Advocate and Chairperson of the NGO Network, Prof. Shashi Adhikari said that the constitution itself discriminates against women, creating challenges in amending laws. She emphasised the need for non-governmental organizations to push the government to take action to combat violence against women.
UN Women Representative in Nepal Patricia Fernandez-Pacheco said there were still opportunities and challenges for women's rights in Nepal and the UN would continue working together with other stakeholders to empower women.
Nepal has made significant progress in addressing violence against women. She highlighted that the report presented at the Beijing+30 Review will contribute substantially to women's empowerment.
Member of CEDAW Committee Bandana Rana said the main issue now was the participation of women at decision-making levels. She emphasized the importance of economic empowerment based on human rights as a current necessity.
Senior Advocate Meera Dhungana said that the Beijing+30 Review provides an opportunity for advocates of gender equality to engage and draw the government attention to the problems faced by marginalised groups.
