Nepal

In Nepal, the areas of UNDP intervention included supporting national stakeholders in human rights promotion and protection, joint initiatives with UN Women for gender equality and women’s empowerment, and working with the government and private sector for responsible business conduct.

Human rights

UNDP worked with national stakeholders to improve capacities for implementing the recommendations that the government received as a result of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process in 2020. In coordination with the Office of the Prime-Minister, other government agencies, civil society organizations (CSOs) and human rights defenders, UNDP supported the development of a post-UPR implementation strategy to enhance a multi-stakeholder approach for the effective implementation of UPR recommendations. Having adopted the strategy and endorsed a comprehensive plan of action for its realization, the Government of Nepal conducted five policy dialogues with various stakeholders to seek support and contributions. As a result, a common understanding on the multi-stakeholder approach to implement the recommendations was developed.

In addition, UNDP provided technical support to develop a checklist and an online platform enabling the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to oversee the fulfilment of the Government’s human rights obligations, and to collect and analyse data on the realization of the post-UPR implementation strategy.

As a result of UNDP’s long-term support, six thematic commissions that protect human rights and the interests of minorities in Nepal (the National Women Commission, the Dalit Commission, the Commission for Indigenous Peoples, the Commission for Muslims, the Madeshi Commission and the NHRC) adopted a coordination strategy. In 2022, the commissions carried out joint monitoring missions led by the NHRC to address 109 cases of human rights violations related to gender, non-discrimination and participation of persons with disability in the election process in Nepal.

In selected provinces, UNDP supported the capacity building of the newly established judicial committees, reaching out to 2,000 women and persons from marginalized communities. This confidence-building measure made the beneficiaries more aware of the functions and availability of the judicial committees in Nepal. In addition, UNDP engaged 60 law students (including 35 women) to provide technical support to the judicial committees and address the complaints received from women and individuals from marginalized communities. Over 2,000 complaints were received with 40 percent of already settled.

In addition, a number of television programmes regarding gender and inclusion were broadcast, reaching and benefitting 150,000 people. As a next step, UNDP initiated a pilot assessment of behavioural insights on gender and social inclusion in one of the provinces.

UNDP hosted a two-day training for 55 CSO representatives to promote behavioural aspects of gender equality and social inclusion. Six women leaders representing marginalized groups, including persons with disabilities, enhanced their capacity as facilitators of this event. A joint UNDP and UN Women discussion guide for reflective dialogues with grassroots women’s organizations served as a basis for the training. Additionally, UN Women and UNDP supported the training participants to develop a video explainer on feminist principles and best teaching practices to enable behavioural change. The video will be used as a learning tool for targeted community leaders.

Business and Human Rights

As a leading actor on business and human rights, UNDP has worked closely with government agencies, national human rights institutions, the Federations of Nepal of Chamber of Commerce of Industry (FNCCI) and CSOs to promote the business and human rights agenda in the country.

With UNDP’s technical support, the Government of Nepal has finalized a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAP) for 2023-2028. The support included expert advice, draft reviews and the organization of 20 consultations with around 200 stakeholders from the government, private sectors and civil society. Following internal clearance from the relevant ministries, the NAP will be submitted for approval to the Cabinet of Ministers in early 2023. The NAP is aligned with the three pillars of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and includes six priority thematic areas: labour rights, gender equality, environmental rights, the rights of Indigenous Peoples, non-discrimination, and migrant workers' rights.

UNDP provided training for nearly 70 business representatives, including 16 women, from 56 companies on UNGPs and NAP, bridging the gap in knowledge and implementation. In addition, eight NHRC senior officials increased their knowledge on human rights due diligence (HRDD) to pass on their new expertise and deliver training sessions at the provincial level. UNDP will continue its engagement in the NAP launch and implementation, including through the development of the normative HRDD framework.