Govt policies and programmes for fiscal 2023-24 'gender-neutral': Study - The Himalayan Times - Nepal's No.1 English Daily Newspaper

KATHMANDU, MAY 25 Although the policies and programmes pitched by President Ramchandra Paudel have incorporated some positive initiatives, overall policies and programmes are gender-neutral.A gender perspective study of 2023-24 policies and programmes of the government by Women Rehabilitation Centre (WOREC) has revealed that although policies and programmes were stated for institutionalising gender-responsive governance system, necessary mechanisms, indicators and corresponding programmes for doing so have not been mentioned.Therefore, it has not been clearly mentioned which policies and programmes will be adopted to ensure proportional representation of women while challenging structural discrimination.The policies and programmes have blatantly left the issues concerning the identity of sexual and gender minorities.

The current policies and programmes state that the issue of peace process and transitional justice will be resolved within the next two years by addressing the overall aspects of truth, justice to the victims and reparation, but it has no concrete plans to address sexual violence against women and girls, reintegration of women involved in war with social justice, addressing the problem of mental abuse, among others.However, the state's policies and programmes lack arrangements and solutions for dealing with this issue.