Kathmandu – Nepal is set to present a report covering 12 key areas of concern at the Beijing+30 Review, organized by the United Nations in New York from March 10 to 25. The report, prepared by the National Network for Beijing Review Nepal (NNBN) and the Forum for Women, Law, and Development (FWLD) on behalf of civil society, will be submitted at the review.

During an event held on Thursday to introduce the report, FWLD advocate Binu Lama provided details on its contents. A video message was also presented, explaining the process of preparing the report.

Key Areas Covered in the Report

The 82-page report is divided into four sections, identifying 12 key agendas, including:

Women and Education
Women and the Economy
Women’s Human Rights
Women and Poverty
Women and Health
Women in Power and Decision-making
Women and Media
Women and the Environment
Institutional Mechanisms for Women’s Advancement
Women and Armed Conflict
Violence Against Women
Girls’ Rights

Some participants pointed out that the human rights of sex workers and issues of migrant women were missing from the report. However, FWLD Executive Director, Advocate Sabin Shrestha, assured that the review report covers all crucial aspects. He stated that the Beijing+30 Review is an opportunity to strengthen the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other global commitments to gender equality.

Stakeholder Reactions

Former Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives, and Poverty Alleviation, Shashi Shrestha, remarked that the report would have been stronger if policymakers had been involved in its preparation. She emphasized that discussions and debates on Nepal’s issues should be addressed within the country instead of taking them abroad. “Our problems must be solved by us. No one else will do it for us,” she stated.

Senior advocate and Chairperson of the NGO Network, Dr. Shashi Adhikari, acknowledged that the civil society report covers many issues. She pointed out that legal discrimination against women remains a challenge due to constitutional limitations, making law amendments difficult. She stressed that NGOs should continue pressuring the government to reduce violence against women.

UN and Expert Opinions

UN Representative Patricia Fernandez commended Nepal’s progress in combating violence against women. She highlighted that the Beijing+30 Review report will contribute significantly to women’s empowerment, noting that while Nepal has made progress, challenges still remain. “The UN will continue working together to advance women’s rights,” she assured.

Member of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Bandana Rana, emphasized that the fight against sexual violence has progressed through multiple phases, but women’s participation in decision-making remains a major issue. She stressed that economic empowerment based on human rights is essential.

The United Nations conducts the Beijing Review process every five years, and this will be its 69th session. Senior advocate Meera Dhungana, in her welcome speech, stated that the Beijing+30 Review is a crucial platform to advocate for gender equality and bring attention to the issues of marginalized communities.