Kathmandu: There has been a strong call for Nepal to implement the recommendations provided by various countries on the report submitted under the 4th Cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

The workshop organized by the Forum for Women, Law and Development (FWLD) for media professionals aimed to enhance understanding of the UPR process, its national significance, and to discuss the key recommendations received by Nepal during the fourth cycle. The discussions were particularly focused on Legal Identity, Gender-Based Violence, and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.

In 2025, the Government of Nepal submitted its report under the fourth cycle of the UPR to the United Nations Human Rights Council, based on which different countries provided their recommendations. Advocate Binu Lama informed that Nepal has received recommendations mainly under three thematic areas, and the country has only two options regarding them: either to accept (implement) or to note them.

During the program, FWLD advocate Rojina Shrestha shared that Nepal received important recommendations related to decriminalization of abortion, reproductive health rights, respectful maternity care, comprehensive sexuality education, and overall sexual and reproductive health and rights services.

According to Shrestha, countries such as Iceland and France recommended that abortion be fully decriminalized and legalized in all circumstances. Iceland also recommended ensuring access to safe abortion services, while Norway suggested ensuring access to safe abortion for women, adolescents, and gender minorities.

Senior Advocate Meera Dhungana stated that various countries have also recommended ensuring universal access to comprehensive sexuality education both inside and outside schools, strengthening multisectoral coordination to prevent adolescent pregnancies and child marriage, and effectively implementing the National Strategy against discriminatory sex selection and gender-biased abortion (2021).

Additionally, recommendations were made to abolish harmful practices such as Chhaupadi and dowry, ensure effective implementation of laws, raise awareness, and prosecute offenders.

Dhungana further shared that Mexico recommended decriminalizing consensual sexual relations among adolescents under 18 and strengthening efforts to prevent adolescent pregnancy and child marriage.

The workshop also held in-depth discussions on the way forward. As the Government of Nepal prepares to submit its final response to the UPR recommendations ahead of the upcoming session in June/July 2026, participants exchanged views on preparation and strategies.

The role of media in fostering informed public discourse and promoting accountability in the UPR process was also strongly emphasized.

During the program, moderated by Kiran Kunwar, FWLD Information Officer Binod Chandra Devkota stated that accepting and effectively implementing these recommendations is both a constitutional and international obligation of the Government of Nepal.