Lawmaker calls for meaningful inclusion of women in climate policies in Kathmandu
Bagmati Province women lawmakers say women are included only for quotas and urge meaningful representation in climate and biodiversity decision-making, noting women and children face the worst impacts nationwide urgently.
Members of the Bagmati Province Assembly have stressed the need for women’s equal participation in decision-making.
Speaking at a training and dialogue session for provincial women parliamentarians on climate change and biodiversity conservation, Hari Prabha Khadgi, a member of the Bagmati Province Assembly, said women were often included only to fulfil quotas.
“Women must be meaningfully represented in decision-making processes,” she said. “Although women are among the most affected by climate change, their involvement in climate- and biodiversity-related decision-making remains very low.”
The programme was organised by the Women Rights and Resource Network (WRRN) with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Kathmandu on December 19, 2025. Members of the Bagmati Province Assembly attended the event.
Climate expert Sindhu Dhungana said climate change affects women and children the most. “Our policies must be women- and child-friendly,” he said, adding that such commitments often fail to translate into practice.
The session was facilitated by Bagmati Province Assembly member Bharati Pathak, Ghanashyam Pandey, chair of Green Foundation Nepal, forest expert Ganga Ram Dahal, Binita Karki and Arati Pathak, chair of the organisation.
