17 March 2025, NIICE Commentary 9994
Januka Regmi
Gender equality remains a fundamental aspect of Nepal’s social, economic, and political development. The United Nations (UN) has played a pivotal role in supporting Nepal’s efforts to achieve gender parity by implementing policies, providing financial aid, and offering technical expertise since it came into existence in 1945. Over the years, various UN agencies, including UN Women, UNDP, UNICEF, and UNFPA, have collaborated with the Nepali government, civil society organizations, and grassroots movements to empower women and promote gender inclusivity. This article explores the UN’s contributions to gender equality in Nepal, highlighting the progress achieved and the challenges that persist.
UN’s Role in Advancing Gender Equality in Nepal
UN has been advancing gender equality in Nepal through different programs that has brought rapid transformation in the life of women through legal reforms, economic empowerment, supporting in increasing political participation, health and education programs for women and combating gender-based violence.
Change through Legal Reforms and Policy Advocacy
One of the UN’s most significant contributions to gender equality in Nepal has been in the area of policy advocacy and legal reforms. The UN has supported the government in formulating and implementing gender-sensitive policies, including the National Strategy and Action Plan on Gender Empowerment. Organizations such as UN Women and UNDP have provided technical assistance to ensure that national legislation aligns with international frameworks like the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Through consistent advocacy, the UN has influenced legal reforms such as the criminalization of marital rape, stronger anti-domestic violence laws, and property rights for women. Nepal’s Constitution of 2015 also recognizes gender equality as a fundamental right, a milestone achieved partly due to UN-backed campaigns.
Empowerment through Economic Independence
The UN has played a crucial role in promoting women’s economic empowerment through skill development programs, microfinance initiatives, and entrepreneurship support. UNDP, for instance, has introduced projects that provide vocational training, financial literacy programs, and small business grants to women in rural areas. Similarly, UN Women has supported initiatives that help women enter non-traditional sectors such as construction, information technology, and sustainable agriculture. The UN Women’s programs, such as the "Economic Empowerment of Women through Micro-Enterprise Development," have reached over 50,000 women in rural Nepal, providing them with access to microfinance, business training, and market linkages. A 2020 report by UN Women Nepal highlighted that 70% of women who participated in their micro-enterprise programs reported increased income and improved household decision-making power.
These interventions have increased women’s participation in the workforce, contributed to poverty reduction, and enhanced economic independence. However, persistent challenges such as wage gaps, limited access to credit, and workplace discrimination remain key areas requiring further UN intervention.
Increasing Political Participation and Leadership role
The UN has actively worked to increase women’s representation in politics and leadership positions in Nepal. The introduction of quotas for women in parliamentary and local government elections was supported by UN-backed advocacy efforts. As a result, Nepal’s political landscape has seen significant improvements, with over 40% of elected local representatives being women following the 2017 local elections. As of 2023, 33% of parliamentary seats in Nepal are held by women, a significant increase from previous decades, partly due to UN advocacy and capacity-building programs for women leaders.
UN Women and other agencies continue to provide training programs for women leaders, equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to participate in decision-making processes. UN Women’s "Leadership and Governance" programs have trained over 5,000 women to participate in local elections and community leadership roles. Despite these gains, women in politics still face challenges such as gender-based discrimination, lack of institutional support, and societal biases that limit their influence.
Empowering through Education and Health Interventions
The UN’s role in enhancing gender equality in Nepal is evident in its education and health initiatives. UNICEF and UNESCO have promoted gender-sensitive education policies, resulting in increased school enrollment rates for girls. Scholarships, school infrastructure improvements, and awareness campaigns have significantly reduced gender disparities in primary and secondary education. Nepal’s female literacy rate has risen from 42.5% in 2001 to 66.7% in 2021, partly due to UN-supported initiatives like community-based education programs and scholarships for girls. UNICEF’s “Girls’ Access to Education” program has supported over 200,000 girls in staying in school, reducing the gender gap in primary and secondary education. Similarly, the UNDP’s vocational training programs have trained over 30,000 women of Nepal in skills such as tailoring, agriculture, and handicrafts, with 60% of participants reporting improved employment opportunities.
In the health sector, UNFPA has played a key role in improving maternal healthcare services, advocating for reproductive rights, and addressing gender-based violence through awareness programs and support services. The UN’s efforts have contributed to a decline in maternal mortality rates and an increase in access to family planning services as maternal mortality in Nepal has decreased from 539 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1996 to 239 in 2021.
Combating Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
Gender-based violence remains a critical issue in Nepal, with women and girls facing domestic violence, child marriage, trafficking, and workplace harassment. The UN has actively worked with the Nepali government and civil society organizations to strengthen legal frameworks, provide shelter services, and raise awareness about GBV.
UN Women’s “Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces” initiative has focused on making urban environments safer for women, while UNICEF has campaigned against child marriage and harmful traditional practices. UNFPA’s GBV prevention programs have reached over 100,000 women and girls, providing them with access to counseling, legal aid, and safe spaces. Moreover, UN-backed training programs for law enforcement and judicial personnel have improved the response to GBV cases, ensuring better protection and justice for survivors.
Challenges and Gaps in UN’s Gender Equality Efforts
Despite the UN’s substantial contributions, several challenges hinder the full realization of gender equality in Nepal. Deep-rooted patriarchal norms and traditional beliefs continue to limit women’s rights and opportunities. While legal reforms exist, societal acceptance of gender equality remains a challenge. Although progressive policies and laws have been enacted, enforcement and monitoring remain weak, particularly in rural and marginalized communities.
In spite of several steps taken, many women still face barriers in accessing education, healthcare, and economic resources due to geographic, economic, and social constraints. Political instability and resistance from conservative groups often slow down gender-focused reforms and hinder sustained progress. Similarly, women are disproportionately affected by natural disasters, climate change, and humanitarian crises, highlighting the need for more gender-responsive disaster risk reduction strategies.
Way Forward
To enhance the impact of its gender equality efforts, the UN should consider strengthening policy implementation to ensure that gender-sensitive policies are effectively implemented through better monitoring, stronger institutions, and increased accountability. There is a need to increase investment in programs that provide access to credit, land ownership, and employment opportunities for women. Promotion of gender equality through comprehensive education and awareness programs targeting both men and women is most important. Nepal and UN should integrate gender perspectives into climate adaptation, digital inclusion, and disaster response policies. This would be possible only by strengthening partnerships with local organizations, governments, and the private sector to scale up impactful gender equality programs.
Januka Regmi is an Editor in Chief of a Nepali media outlet.
