Press Release: NRNA and UN Women to promote gender equality and women's empowerment

Other language: Nepali

Kathmandu — On August 5, 2014, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) and UN Women to promote the rights and interests of Nepali women residing outside and within Nepal. Through the MoU, NRNA and UN Women Nepal agree to raise awareness and understanding of how the growing diaspora from Nepal can promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Both UN Women and NRNA see the economic empowerment of women as essential to protecting their rights and strengthening their countries’ progress and economic development. Societies are both more equitable and successful if women too are empowered with decent opportunities to participate, contribute and to lead in all sectors, including the corporate sector which can play a crucial role in ensuring finances are invested carefully to enhance gender equality and women’s rights. 

NRNA will work with the corporate sector in Nepal to deepen effectiveness of financing for gender equality and women’s rights. It will act as a catalyst to influence investment in Nepal that will create equal opportunities for women. UN Women will provide technical expertise to advocate for gender-responsive investments. And together they will work to raise the awareness among Nepal’s diaspora communities of the challenges many Nepali women migrant workers face and harness the knowledge and experience these women return home with. 

‘‘Nepal continues to show its commitments towards women’s empowerment. However, many significant challenges remain, including the need to create more and better employment opportunities and to recognize all the contributions Nepali women make towards its country’s economic growth. What’s needed are strong partnerships and well-designed programmes, backed up by increased investments. UN Women welcomes this partnership with NRNA to support Nepal’s priorities.” - Ziad Sheikh, Representative, UN Women Nepal. 

‘’We are very pleased to partner with UN Women and pledge our commitment to mobilizing gender responsive investments. With sound knowledge and the resources to inspire the corporate sector to make a significant contribution for economic empowerment of women, NRNA will exercise its capacity to the fullest. We hope this collaboration will pave the way for a long term partnership to promote gender responsive investment for the girls and women of Nepal’’ – Shesh Ghale, President, Non-Resident Nepali Association. 

The MoU was signed in Kathmandu on 5 August 2014 by Mr. Ziad Sheikh, Representative, UN Women and Mr. Shesh Ghale, President, Non-Resident Nepali Association.

Media enquiries:
Bhavna Adhikari, Communications and Partnerships
UN Women,Thapathali, Kathmandu. Tel: +977-1-4255110/4254899