Nepal estalishes a “Care Working Group” to advance women’s economic empowerment

Kathmandu — A National “Care Working Group” (CWG) has been established in Nepal under the leadership of the National Planning Commission (NPC) of the Government of Nepal. In a significant stride towards gender equality and women’s economic empowerment, the CWG is prepared to spearhead initiatives to foster equitable economic outcomes for women in Nepal, in line with the nation’s 16th Periodic Plan.

The newly formed group comprises of representatives from the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens, Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, Ministry of Health and Population Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, as well as the National Statistics Office, National Women’s Commission, Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce & Industries, UN Women, ILO, and officials from NPC.

A continuation from the Steering Committee of the concluded joint program of UN Women and ILO on “Promoting Decent Employment for Women through Inclusive Growth Policies and Investments in Care,” the group will carry forward the agenda of gender-equitable inclusive growth policies and will inform ongoing and upcoming national initiatives dedicated to promoting decent employment for women.

Speaking at the event, Honorable NPC Member Dr. Ram Kumar Phuyal expressed his committment to developing a national care law. Furthermore, UN Women Country Representative to Nepal Ms. Patricia Fernández-Pacheco stressed that “the formation of the Care Law will be instrumental to advance the agenda of gender equality not only in Nepal but for regional and global advocacy on unpaid care.”

The initiative of establishing a national “Care Working Group” encompasses a vision of increased participation of women in decent employment, equal wage access, inclusion in social protection schemes, and the instigation of transformative changes in gender relations to empower women holistically in Nepal.