UN Women and NIC launched a booklet on women's entitlement in 4 languages

Author: Monica Upadhyay

UN Women Nepal and the National Information Commission jointly organised the second launch of the Women's entitlements booklet in four new languages: Tharu, Maithali, Doteli and Tamang. The booklets were officially launched by Honorable Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Ms. Sita Devi Yadav.

Photo: UN Women

The booklets made available in English and Nepali languages aim to harness the right to information enshrined in the constitution to further women's right and substantive equality in the country. Previously this booklet was made available in Nepali and English with support of the Government Finland and Zonta International.

Speaking at the programme, Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Ms. Sita Devi Yadav congratulated NIC and UNWOMEN for the publication, and urged all to spread the information related to women's entitlements in the villages and among uneducated women in the rural pockets. She expressed her determination to support women enjoy their state ensured entitlements, and focused on the role of men and boys to materialize women’s rights.

Chief Commissioner of the National Information Commission Mr Krishna Hari Baskota said, "The Government of Nepal, among other things has allocated 22% of the national budget for women. However, due to poor access to information, women are not aware of their economic entitlements, and hence not able to enjoy their rights." He further explained that all men and women have the right to request for information from any government office and in case the information is not received, they can directly request NIC for information.

UN Women Deputy Representative Ms Gitanjali Singh said, "The vision of the Constitution of Nepal and the globally agreed Sustainable Development Goals of “leaving no behind” can be only realized if all citizens, especially the most excluded have access to timely and relevant information to make informed choices to further their human rights and demand accountability." She further explained that 2030, is the end date for discrimination, and only by leveraging the right to information for women’s empowerment and gender equality we will move one step closer to achieving Planet 50:50 by 2030.