A National Conference on Prospect and Roadmap for Feminist Foreign Policy in Nepal was organised in Kathmandu today. The main theme of the conference was the integration of Feminist Foreign Policy principles into Nepal’s foreign policy and to make it more inclusive and equitable as per international standards. 

Sewa Lamsal, Nepal’s Foreign Secretary, said that Nepal is gradually improving women’s representation in Nepal’s executive, legislative, and judicial bodies, as well as in civil services. Dr Anjan Shakya, a member of the National Assembly, emphasised Nepal’s constitutional provisions of 33% reservation in Parliament promoting women’s participation but highlighted the persisting lack of women in high-level positions in Nepal. 

National, regional, and international experts shared their views on different aspects of the Feminist Foreign Policy. Panel discussions with experts and activists highlighted that despite advancing the activism’s right-based approach, several implementational challenges persist in Nepal. Remittances from migrant labour largely fund Nepal’s economy; however, there is a lack of a foreign employment act and women’s inclusion.

By Sweta Singh (Kathmandu)