Implement Resolution 1325 for protection and promotion of women’s rights: Sundh

Representative of the United Nations (UN) Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal, Lena Sundh, has urged all Nepali actors take action to put into practice the measures set out in Resolution 1325, both for the protection and promotion of the human rights of Nepali women and girls.



Head of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal, Lena Sudh (Photo source: OHCHR-Nepal)

Addressing the Third National Consultation with Women Human Rights Defenders in the capital on Tuesday, she said that implementation of Resolution 1325 is important for the protection and promotion of the human rights of Nepali women and girls and to ensure that there is increased representation of Nepali women at all decision-making levels of Nepali institutions and mechanisms involved in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA).

“Women human rights defenders have an essential leadership role to play at the community and national level in this historic transition to peace and democracy in Nepal,” she added.

She further said that the early steps after the Jana Aandalan (People’s movement) give us cause for concern that key Nepali actors have not yet seriously considered the lessons, which Resolution 1325 is based upon, as both the Seven Party Alliance and the CPN (Maoist) negotiating teams lacked women’s participation.

She also expressed dissatisfaction over lack of representation of women of seriously under representation in key institutions established after the success of April movement, referring to the appointments at the Interim Constitution Drafting Committee, the High Level Commission of Inquiry (the Rayamajhi Commission), the Ceasefire Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee.

She also urged the Government to do better and ensure that women’s representation is not merely tokenistic in the appointment of members at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

“Women’s leadership and active participation in the peace process, at all levels, is good for peace in Nepal,” she added.

Resolution 1325 also represents years of struggle by women activists in countries around the world, including Nepal, to ensure that action be taken to redress the conditions that result in women and girls suffering in conflict, and to make sure that women are able to participate fully as actors, and leaders, in conflict prevention, management and resolution. nepalnews.com pb Nov 28 06