Kathmandu: The Law, Justice and Human Rights Committee under the House of Representatives (HoR), led by Bimala Subedi, has emphasized the necessity for parliament to take more proactive steps toward achieving gender equality and social inclusion. This call to action was made during a national dialogue addressing the rights of gender and sexual minorities and the pivotal role legislators play in this arena.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Bimala Subedi highlighted the additional responsibilities lawmakers bear, not only in enacting laws that protect the rights of sexual and gender minorities but also in ensuring their effective implementation. This sentiment was echoed by Ammar Bahadur Thapa, President of the Education, Health and Information Technology Committee, who expressed concern over the inadequate access of gender and sexual minorities to education and health services. Thapa committed to focusing on the development of more inclusive policies in the future.
The program was a collaborative effort by several organizations, including Inclusive Forum Nepal, Mayako Pahichan Nepal, and Lead Nepal. It attracted participation from presidents of various parliamentary committees, lawmakers, civil society representatives, human rights activists, and other stakeholders. The attendees collectively called for legal reforms, increased budget allocations, inclusive education, and social awareness campaigns as essential measures to advance the rights of sexual and gender minorities.