Nepal has made a huge leap in terms in formulating gender-friendly policies but the challenge lies in their implementation, says a report. According to a report entitled “Progress of Women in Nepal since 1995-2015”, some of the significant progress made in the past twenty years are ratifying the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women, formulation of various laws to eliminate discrimination against women, initiation of the practice of gender-responsive budget and ensuring representation of women.

The report which reflects the country’s progress towards increasing gender equality after the historic Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing probes into three critical areas: freedom from violence, capabilities and resources and leadership and participation. “We have seen laws and policies being formulated to enhance women’s capabilities and facilitate their access to justice, resources and participation, which gives us a good base to fight for our rights but a lot more needs to be done. However, implementing the existing laws so that women benefit is a huge challenge,” said Dr Meena Acharya, leader of the team that prepared the report. Acharya said that ambiguity in-laws and regulations, lack of enforcement mechanism and high level of violence in public and private spheres are some of the barriers to realising substantive equality and rights.

The report also emphasizes on recognising the contribution women make to the national economy through their household and care work and informal sector like agriculture in the macro-economic policies and capacity building of women as rights-holders to claim their rights. The report supported by UN Women was jointly published by three organisations--Sahavai, Didibahini and Feminist Dalit Organisation. Ziad Sheikh, representative of UN Women in Nepal, said a report is a tool that could be used to achieve gender equality.