International Conference on gender inclusion in NHRIs to be held in Kathmandu

LALITPUR: An International Conference on Gender Inclusion in National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) will take place in Kathmandu from September 3-5.

The event, organized by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in collaboration with the Asia Pacific Forum (APF) of National Human Rights Institutions, aims to advocate for the pluralism principle, gender mainstreaming, research, policy recommendations, capacity building, and resource allocation to enhance the promotion and protection of women’s and girls’ human rights.

The NHRC hopes the conference will serve as a critical platform for addressing and overcoming the challenges NHRIs face in achieving gender equality within their structures and operations.

“The conference aims to tackle systemic barriers to gender equality and prioritize gender issues amid emerging global challenges,” stated the NHRC at a press briefing today.

NHRC Joint-Secretary Nawaraj Sapkota mentioned that representatives from government bodies, national human rights institutions from 26 Asia Pacific nations, the United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner, UN Development Programme Nepal, UN Women, and UNFPA are expected to attend.

NHRC Chair Top Bahadur Magar emphasized that the conference will assess the Paris Principles through a gender lens, identify gender gaps in NHRIs, and explore strategies to bridge these gaps.

The event will also focus on promoting coordination and collaboration among NHRIs, governments, civil society, and other stakeholders to strengthen NHRIs, implement the principle of pluralism, and advance gender mainstreaming.

NHRC member Lily Thapa expressed hope that the conference would facilitate dialogue among human rights organizations, share best practices, and promote gender inclusion in national human rights institutions.

Under-Secretary Sapkota added that approximately 150 participants are expected.

So far, representatives from 17 countries, including India, Fiji, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Thailand, and Timor, have confirmed their participation.

The conference will feature discussions across seven sessions over three days.

For more information, visit the newly launched conference website: Gender Conference NHRC.