Ms. Bhumika Shrestha, a transgender activist with the Blue Diamond Society, a LGBTIQ rights organization in Nepal, said there is need for increased social awareness in Nepal to protect people from her community in the country from discrimination based on sexual orientation, adding that everyone is equal before the law and have the right to protection from discrimination.

Speaking at a programme entitled, "Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) in Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET)" that was jointly organized by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and UNDP's Support to Knowledge and Lifelong Learning Skills Programme in Dhangadi, the capital of Sudurpaschim Province on 10 April, she said that the UN Human Rights Committee has also called on member states not only to repeal laws criminalizing homosexuality but also include the prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation in their constitutions. Addressing the programme, Social Development Minister of Sudurpaschim Province Krishnaraj Subedi ensured to come up with appropriate policies to reduce gender inequality in the society and promote diversity in all walks of life.

Also speaking at the programme, UNDP's GESI specialist Ms. Binda Magar said that there is need for effective measures to increase enrollment of women and marginalized groups, including sexual minorities and persons with disabilities in TVET in order to accelerate achievements of all the Sustainable Development Goals and contribute to the development of Nepal.