The National Human Rights Commission of Nepal (NHRC), in collaboration with the APF, will host an International Conference on Gender Inclusion in National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs). The conference, to be held from 3-5 September 2024 in Kathmandu, Nepal, will support NHRIs in promoting and safeguarding gender equality and the rights of women and girls.

NHRIs play a vital role in promoting gender equality by engaging communities and integrating gender considerations into their work. At the 11th International Conference of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) in 2012, NHRIs adopted the Amman Declaration and Programme of Action, committing to prioritise and mainstream the human rights of women and girls.

Despite progress since then, global events continue to shape the path to gender equality. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by UN member countries in 2015, set a hopeful vision with Sustainable Development Goal 5 advocating for gender equality. However, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly set back progress, and climate change continues to amplify existing inequalities, disproportionately impacting women and girls from marginalised communities.

The upcoming conference will tackle these global challenges and institutional barriers, providing a platform for addressing and overcoming the obstacles NHRIs face in achieving gender equality within their structures and operations.

Key objectives will include assessing the Paris Principles to ensure pluralism through gender inclusion, reviewing progress on the Amman Declaration, and fostering discussions on NHRIs’ responses to climate change and gender justice.

The conference will culminate in the adoption of the Kathmandu Declaration on Gender Inclusion in NHRIs, providing a roadmap for implementing gender mainstreaming strategies and actions.

For more information about the conference, please contact:

Fasoha Aishath, Gender Equality and Capacity Development Manager fasohaaishath@asiapacificforum.net