International Conference on Gender Inclusion in NHRIs Concludes with Nine-Point Kathmandu Declaration

The three-day International Conference on Gender Inclusion in National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) concluded today in Kathmandu, issuing a nine-point Kathmandu Declaration. The declaration calls on NHRIs, governments, UN agencies, private sectors, and relevant stakeholders across the Asia Pacific region to take urgent actions to respect, protect, and fulfill the human rights of all genders.

The conference, held from September 3 to 5, emphasized the need for pluralistic and equitable gender representation within NHRIs at all levels of operation. The participants urged NHRIs to promote meaningful gender participation, ensure accountability for human rights violations, and integrate a gender-transformative approach into all functions. These measures are seen as vital to achieving gender justice and inclusion across the region.

Key Calls for Action in the Kathmandu Declaration

The Kathmandu Declaration calls for specific actions to promote gender justice, urging stakeholders to allocate resources toward achieving gender equality and inclusion. The declaration also highlights the need to address the disproportionate impact of climate change and evolving crises on women and gender-diverse people. It advocates for the review of domestic legislations to ensure gender-inclusive policy guidance, aligning with international human rights standards.

In particular, the declaration recommends that NHRIs periodically review their internal policies, plans, culture, and practices to ensure compliance with gender-inclusive standards. Additionally, the conference emphasized the importance of adopting a rights-based approach to data collection. This would ensure systematic documentation and dissemination of information related to NHRIs’ interventions on gender issues.

The declaration also called for the effective implementation of recommendations concerning gender and gender-diverse people made by the Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA), Charter-based, and Treaty-based mechanisms. It further urged the establishment of a functional coordination mechanism among NHRIs across the Asia Pacific to collectively address human rights violations affecting women and gender-diverse individuals.

A Collective Push for Gender Justice in the Asia Pacific Region

NHRIs from 19 countries in the Asia Pacific region participated in the conference, including Australia, Bangladesh, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Malaysia, the Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, the Philippines, Qatar, Samoa, Thailand, and Timor-Leste. The conference brought together representatives from national, regional, and international organizations, as well as UN agencies, to discuss gender equality and its intersectionality in NHRIs’ work.

The event emphasized addressing systemic barriers to gender equality and making the rights of women and gender-diverse people a priority in the face of emerging issues, both regionally and globally.

Gender Equality Requires Behavioral Change, Says Deputy Prime Minister

At the closing session, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development Prakashman Singh addressed the conference, highlighting that legal mechanisms alone are not enough to achieve gender equality. He stressed the need for changes in behavior at every level of society to realize true gender equality.

“I believe that such international conferences will play a role in changing individual conduct as everyone needs to contribute to women’s empowerment and gender mainstreaming,” Singh said.

Hosted by NHRC Nepal

The conference was hosted by the National Human Rights Commission of Nepal (NHRCN) in collaboration with the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF), UNDP, UNFPA, and UN Women. The event marked a significant step toward fostering a collective and coordinated effort among NHRIs to promote gender equality, making gender inclusion a core component of human rights work in the region.