Pokhara, October 23, 2024 – The Feminist Dalit Organisation (FEDO) Nepal held a province-level consultation program in Pokhara today, focusing on the Beijing 30+ review process in the context of women and girls' rights and empowerment in Nepal. The program aimed to reflect on the progress and challenges in advancing gender equality and women's rights over the past three decades since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
Chief Minister of Gandaki Province, Surendra Raj Pandey, inaugurated the event and delivered a keynote address. In his speech, Pandey underscored the government's commitment to gender equality, emphasizing the importance of creating inclusive policies that address the needs of marginalized groups, including Dalit women. “Empowering women and girls is at the core of sustainable development. We must ensure that no one is left behind,” he said.
Prominent women's rights leader Durga Sob raised critical issues during the consultation, highlighting the persistent gaps in the protection of women's rights, particularly for Dalit women. She called for urgent action to address structural inequalities and ensure that women from all walks of life can fully exercise their rights. “Dalit women face multiple layers of discrimination, and their voices must be central to the dialogue on gender equality,” Sob emphasized.
The consultation brought together activists, policymakers, and representatives from various sectors to discuss strategies for accelerating progress on gender equality, in line with the commitments made under the Beijing Declaration. Participants shared insights on the successes and challenges in promoting women’s empowerment at both national and provincial levels.
This event is part of a series of consultations FEDO Nepal is organizing across the country to contribute to Nepal’s broader efforts to review and advance the goals set during the Beijing Conference, with a focus on inclusivity and intersectionality in the fight for women’s rights.
