Kathmandu, March 6, 2025 – Saathi, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens (MoWCSC), organized a reflective dialogue on Nepal’s 7th Periodic Report to CEDAW. The discussion focused on the CEDAW reporting process, challenges, and outcomes, bringing together 61 participants, including government officials, civil society organizations (CSOs), and development partners.
Minister for Women, Children, and Senior Citizens, Nawal Kishor Sah Sudi, chaired the event, reaffirming Nepal’s commitment to implementing the CEDAW Committee’s recommendations. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between the government and civil society to sustain Nepal’s progress in gender justice.
Laxmi Kumari Basnet, Secretary at MoWCSC, acknowledged the challenges Nepal faced in preparing and submitting the periodic report, including tight deadlines and logistical hurdles that affected the government delegation’s preparedness for the constructive dialogue in Geneva.
Kamala Parajuli, Chairperson of the National Women Commission, recognized Nepal’s ongoing efforts but expressed concerns over the government’s limited preparation. She urged MoWCSC to take the lead in implementing the Concluding Observations (COBs) to ensure a more inclusive and equitable society.
Sajani Amatya, Chairperson of Saathi, stressed the need for solidarity and coordination among stakeholders to effectively implement CEDAW’s recommendations. Similarly, Bandana Rana, a member of the CEDAW Committee, acknowledged Nepal’s progress but highlighted gaps in monitoring mechanisms and data systems. She emphasized the CEDAW framework as a vital tool for advancing gender equality and noted that better preparation could have strengthened Nepal’s global representation.
Patricia Fernandez-Pacheco, Country Representative of UN Women, congratulated the government on submitting its report but underscored the crucial role of civil society in providing alternative reports that amplify the voices of marginalized groups, including Muslim women. She also highlighted the importance of sharing COB recommendations with development partners to explore funding opportunities for implementation.
Reflecting on the process, Medha Sharma from Visible Impact noted that while CSO engagement was strong, greater involvement from the Ministry of Health could have enhanced representation of key issues. Sabin Shrestha from FWLD emphasized the inclusive and consultative nature of the shadow report, expressing satisfaction that many of its recommendations were incorporated into the final COBs.
Representing marginalized communities, Pratima Gurung, Chairperson of the National Indigenous Disabled Women Association Nepal, welcomed the increased focus on intersectionality in the latest COBs, recognizing the challenges faced by women with disabilities and indigenous women. Durga Sob from the Feminist Dalit Organization (FEDO) echoed this sentiment, urging the government to prioritize the inclusion of Dalit and intersectional women’s issues in the implementation process.
The CEDAW Committee’s Concluding Observations call for concrete actions on citizenship rights, inheritance laws, and discriminatory practices. Organized to mark International Women’s Day, the session provided a platform for stakeholders to reflect on Nepal’s progress and strategize on strengthening gender equality commitments.
