Nepal

UNDP Nepal

has achieved the Gold Gender Equality Seal Certification!

As a previously awarded Gender Seal Silver Certified Office, UNDP Nepal has not only been able to sustain their commitment to gender equality but have also strengthened and surpassed their goals. This is reflected in the office’s capacity to tap into the gender transformative potential of their country programmes, specifically in gender responsive disaster risk reduction, addressing women’s time poverty, and supporting women in Parliament.

""Gender equality, social inclusion and dignity for all" as our destination; we also believed that each one of us from our team had something special to offer to make the journey smooth, taking turns as and when needed; some made extra efforts devotedly to drive the exercise, others had faith in those driving and contributed passionately... What we achieved today is a recognition and appreciation for that team effort... This is only a landmark, we resolve to continue our journey and contribute to reach the destination where everyone in Nepal and beyond will celebrate the "equality, justice and dignity" one day!"

- Ayshanie Medagangoda-Labe, Resident Representative, UNDP Nepal

Some key achievements include:

Putting gender equality at the center of disaster risk reduction

By protecting water sources and promoting women’s role in water governance, UNDP Nepal helped reduce time poverty for 7,656 women by improving 116 water sources.

Increasing the voice and agency of women in Parliament

Through the Parliament Support Project, the office contributed to inclusive governance, participation and women’s leadership to ensure an enabling environment for women members of Parliament, resulting in 80 motions and bill amendments in one year. This included key bills and amendments that have a significant positive impact on women’s access to justice in the country, such as the new “Bill to amend some acts on Sexual Violence”, and “Bill to amend some acts relating to Criminal Offense and Criminal Procedure.”

Engendering Public Institutions

The CO has demonstrated successful results in influencing national level processes and policies that provide equitable representation for women and other marginalized groups. Results have been achieved in representation quotas, as well as institutionalization of processes through a gender focal system at local government and introduction of GESI policies, among other initiatives. UNDP Nepal introduced the GESI checklist, as well as good practices, including those piloted in other countries to the GESI audit guidelines that have been implemented by 150 local government units.

UNDP Nepal people standing outside a building wearing orange shirts

UNDP Nepal selfie of meeting in conference room

UNDP Nepal people standing inside wearing orange shirts

UNDP Nepal woman with microphone standing in front of a Zoom screen

UNDP Nepal sitting in audience in orange shirts

UNDP Nepal selfie of five people wearing orange shirts

UNDP Nepal people posing for a picture wearing orange shirts

UNDP Nepal five people outside a building wearing orange shirts

UNDP Nepal in audience wearing orange shirts

UNDP Nepal selfie of two people wearing orange shirts

Select good practices and innovation in advancing foundational elements of gender equality:

UNDP Nepal has developed a gender responsive procurement process which assesses during evaluation whether organizations have a Gender Equality policy or strategy, code of conduct or policy on SH/PSEA; additional points are allocated to women-owned businesses and businesses owned by PWDs; and UNDP provides orientation on gender mainstreaming to external vendors.

In the area of communications, the CO has been pioneering in challenging gender norms through the development of campaigns, and more recently through the work with the Advertising Board- a new regulatory body in Nepal. The MoU with the Advertising Board includes areas for collaboration on research, capacity building, influencing policy and sharing best practices to promote gender-responsive advertising in Nepal.

Internally, the CO has made deliberate efforts to recruit and retain staff that represent the diversity of Nepal and embody gender equality and social inclusion principles. UNDP has also hired the only female driver in the UN system in Nepal.

In the area of programming, the CO has initiated a “Leave No One Behind” low value grants, which serves as a channel for UNDP to identify small organizations working in remote areas for disadvantaged groups. Through the grants, UNDP is helping these organizations enhance their capacities, deliver on their mandate and in turn helping UNDP expand its footprint into remote areas.