The Gender Equality, Disability-Friendly, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Strategy and Action Plan for the forestry and environment sector, covering the years 2082–2091, has been officially released.

The Ministry of Forests and Environment has launched this initiative to promote gender equality, disability inclusion, and social inclusivity within the forestry and environment sectors.

This decade-long strategy and action plan aims to ensure that government entities, community organizations, the private sector, and development partners at the federal, provincial, and local levels are inclusive and accountable in their policies and practices.

The primary goal of the strategy is to allocate at least 35 percent of the benefits derived from the forestry and environment sector toward enhancing women's skills, entrepreneurship, leadership, and livelihoods, adhering to the principles of proportional inclusion.

Additionally, the strategy outlines a commitment to invest at least 15 percent of the sector's benefits in developing the skills, entrepreneurship, leadership, and livelihoods of marginalized groups, including Dalits, indigenous communities, persons with disabilities, and Madhesis.

In line with the strategy, a review of existing policies, acts, regulations, and guidelines concerning forests, the environment, biodiversity, and watersheds will be conducted through a gender- and socially inclusive lens. All relevant agencies are mandated to formulate and execute action plans to support this initiative.

Furthermore, the strategy stipulates that at least 50 percent of decision-making positions within institutional frameworks must be held by women, promotes inclusive hiring practices, and ensures proportional representation of marginalized communities.

A provision has been made to ensure at least 50 percent women's participation, including in leadership positions, in community forest user groups and other community-based committees.

It is stated that there must be female representation either as chairperson or secretary, as well as either vice-chairperson or treasurer.

The strategy also includes plans to implement social mobilization programmes for women's leadership development, workload reduction, and gender role transformation, and to manage beneficiary data in a disaggregated manner based on gender and social criteria.

Similarly, there are plans to provide seed capital to marginalized communities and promote forest-based enterprises based on prosperity stratification and social analysis.

Zero tolerance of gender violence in the workplace

The strategy has made it clear that all government, non-governmental, community, and private institutions in the forestry and environment sector will adopt a zero-tolerance policy against gender-based violence and sexual harassment.

The strategy states that each institution will form an internal grievance committee and appoint a gender focal person.

Focus on gender- and disability-friendly infrastructure

The objective is to ensure facilities that are friendly to women, sexual minorities, and persons with disabilities when constructing offices, housing, toilets, and other infrastructure. The strategy prioritizes the provision of breastfeeding rooms, childcare rooms, and menstrual-friendly toilet management.

Monitoring and implementation

The responsibility for implementing, monitoring, and evaluating the strategy will be borne by the relevant ministry. It will be reviewed, and necessary revisions will be made every five years.

It is stated that the federal, provincial, and local levels, as well as forest user groups, will make budgetary provisions for implementation and, if necessary, collaborate with development partners.

The new strategy is expected to make the forestry and environment sector inclusive, secure, and equitable in the coming decade.

Positive impact on the livelihoods of rural women is expected

Manju Ghimire Subedi, the gender focal person at the Forestry Research and Training Centre, stated that the GESI strategy is expected to have a positive impact on the livelihoods of rural women.

"When 50 percent representation is ensured in the decision-making process, women will be able to influence the use of forests and natural resources, enhance income generation, and guide budget allocation according to their needs and priorities," she said, adding that initiatives ensuring fair distribution of resources and benefits, promoting traditional knowledge and skills, and connecting women to markets will increase their income and self-reliance.

Ghimire stated that proportional inclusive representation has been made mandatory to ensure that benefits reach marginalized communities, including single women and women with disabilities, who are among the most disadvantaged groups.

Sunita Ulak, Secretary General of NFA Nepal Forest Technical Association, commented that the public release of the Gender Equality, Disability-Friendly, and Social Inclusion (GESI) Strategy and Action Plan 2082–2091 for the forestry and environment sector is a positive step.

Parbata Gautam, General Secretary of the Federation of Community Forest Users Nepal (FECOFUN), highlighted that strong participation of women in community forests positively impacts leadership and employment, emphasizing that the GESI strategy should be effectively implemented in practice.

According to her, currently, 50 percent of women’s active participation is ensured in community forest groups.

She mentioned that although various community forest user groups have funds, there is no clear guidance on where and how to spend them, and efforts are being made to raise awareness among members for the effective implementation of the policy.