Speech: Launch of “A Common Framework for Gender Equality and Social Inclusion”

Photo: UN Women

[Solutation]

On behalf of IDPG GESI Working Group Co-Chairs, USAID and UN Women, I would like to express our sincere gratitude for your participation at today’s launch of the Common Framework for Gender Equality and Social Inclusion and the subsequent orientation workshop later in the day.

I wish to extend a special thanks to the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator (RCO), for their vision in initiating the development of the Common Framework for Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in 2015. I also want to thank CSOs, INGOs and government officials for their active engagement and insights during the consultation process and the IDPG GESI group for their critical reflections and valuable recommendations to ensure finalisation of the common framework. We wish to express our sincere gratitude to Ms. Chhaya Jha, the lead-author of the framework and GESI expert Dr. Lynn Bennett. The framework presents a mapping and is not prescriptive.

As has been highlighted by previous speakers, by improving harmonisation and coordination among development partners, the IDPG Common Framework for Gender Equality and Social Inclusion will lead to more effective support to both state- and non-state actors in the implementation of the ‘inclusion’ vision embedded in the Constitution of Nepal and Sustainable Development Goals. We hope this framework will support the Government in implementing the National Gender Equality Strategy being finalised under the leadership of the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare.

As we continue to celebrate International Women’s Day week and the deliberate on women’s economic empowerment in the changing world of work at the ongoing Commission on the Status of Women in New York – it is evident that achieving women’s economic empowerment is critical to making sure that no one is left behind, to ensuring economic justice and making Agenda 2030 a reality. To address both old and emerging challenges related to gender inequality and social exclusion, the time for bold actions is now. Investment in gender equality and social inclusion is both a moral imperative and smart economics. It is the way to achieving Planet 50:50 by 2030. The common framework highlights how we can move from exclusion and inequality towards equality and inclusion.

For the 21st century to be the century of inclusion, partnerships are essential. The IDPG GESI Working group looks forward to an effective collaboration with all of you. As we collectively advance substantive equality, we make the world better for all.