Foreward by President, Laxmi Ghalan
This parallel report on Beijing+ 25 has been prepared in a participatory manner with involving and representation of different networks working for the sexual and gender minorities. The report is prepared by Mitini Nepal as the lead in consultation with other networks and organizations working on the issues of sexual and gender minorities. The 64th session on the Commission on the Status of Women will focus on the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and current challenges that affect its implementation and the achievement of gender equality and empowerment of women.
It is primarily important for CSOs to review the national status of the implementation of BPFA regards to accountability as well as to streamline the way forward. As the civil society space is shrinking and issues of exclusion of the feminist organizations, groups representing minorities of different fronts are discriminated against because of their gender identities, sexual orientation, geography, caste, class, race, ethnicity and religion. The separate parallel report is required as this is a part of the global advocacy and also to hold stakeholders accountable to implement the BPFA, the legal binding treaty like CEDAW and UN agenda of Sustainable Development Goals 2030. Regards to the strengthening the FOREWORD Parallel Report on B+ 25: Mitini Nepal 4 feminist and women’s movement collective it is necessary to have prepare own parallel national report and raise the independent voice at the United Nations.
This report traces the situational analysis, the achievements at different fronts, gaps and challenges of the planning and the implementation and the recommendation for the future action. Thus, the CEDAW general recommendation for Nepal especially for the gender and sexual minorities are also incorporated in this report. In preparation to this parallel report, the organization adopted own independent process to report on progress made, challenges and recommendations. The NGO Guidelines for Parallel Reports template was referred but there have been adaptations as per the context and the information received for the better reflection. The major components of the situation, gaps, challenges, achievements, and recommendations have been drafted taking the two specific critical areas of Violence against LBTI and Human Rights of LBTI.
The areas and questions addressing in the respective critical areas in line with the CEDAW articles and SDG goals were also reviewed. The thematic areas under the different topics were also accounted while the information was collected and the groups were consulted. The relevant sub themes related to the human rights and violence was classified under the six major thematic areas i.e. Inclusive development, shared prosperity and decent work; Poverty eradication, social protection and social services; Freedom from violence, stigma and stereotypes; Participation, accountability and gender responsive institutions; Peaceful and Inclusive societies ; Environmental conservation, protection and rehabilitation. The information on two distinct thematic areas of National Institutions and Processes and Data and Statistics were collected and incorporated within the report.
As to ensure the inclusive participatory process to prepare this report, different participatory tools were adopted, the wide Parallel Report on B+ 25: Mitini Nepal 5 geographical ranges were covered and stakeholders were reached out. Mitini Nepal organized provincial level consultations ensuring the participation from districts within the respective provinces. Altogether 7 provincial consultations were carried out 1 in each of the provinces of Nepal. Information on violence against LBTI and human rights issues of LBTI were discussed using the BPFA +25 NGO guideline frame. The final provincial consultation of province 3 was conducted in Kathmandu where different networks, organizations and groups working for the rights of LBTI were invited and wider validation of the information and discussion was held. The sessions were lively and informative by the use of methods of sharing, group works, presentation where the inputs for the parallel report was received extensively. The contribution of the experience, technical expertise from organizations and institutions were received while most importantly living experiences of people from LBTIQ were of high value which was generated through the provincial level consultations, national level consultations and constructive feedbacks.
Mitini Nepal team is grateful to Gyanbodh Research and Development Pvt. Ltd for the sharing of expertise in facilitation and for the preparation of this report and Womankind Worldwide for the financial support catered during the whole process of parallel report writing. Nevertheless, Mitini Nepal is thankful to the LBTI community members, executive board members, staff, volunteers , network partners for all the support and solidarity throughout the movement. Together we will move forward better, envisioning a better world for LBTI with fulfillment of human rights –Mitini Nepal President and Founder, Laxmi Ghalan