Press Releases

1) Hon. Minster for Foreign Affairs Sujata Koirala attended luncheon hosted by US Secretary of State Mrs. Hillary Clinton with women Heads of State, Government and Foreign Ministers in New York this afternoon (Thursday, September 24, 2009). (The photographs of this event is enclosed)

Speaking on the occasion, the Hon. Foreign Minister made the following points:

Women empowerment and inclusion have been high on priority agenda of the Government of Nepal.

Nepal is going through a transition at the moment. We are in the midst of a peace process. We have many challenges ahead, but we are determined to take the peace process to a logical conclusion.

As we are currently engaged in writing a new democratic constitution for a new Nepal, issues of women and the marginalized groups have now become more prominent.

 

In the political field, there is more representation of women. Our Constituent Assembly has almost one-third of its members represented by women.

Economic independence of women is being promoted, and women’s right to parental property has been established by law.

Seats have been reserved for women in government jobs – civil service as well as in the army and police services – so as to make them more inclusive gradually.

Free schooling as well as scholarships for girls are being provided so as to uplift the status of girls and enhance their capabilities.

Reproductive health care services are being provided so as to uplift the status of girls and enhance their capabilities.

We have a National Women Commission to promote the interests of women in all fields.

 

Yet, there are many social prejudices in the country. Economic empowerment and inclusion in the decision-making level are key to women’s upliftment. Women also suffered a lot during the decade-long conflict. We are determined to bring change, especially at a time when we are coming out of conflict and moving towards peace and stability.

2) Hon. Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala addressed the Annual Co-ordination Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Community of Democracies at the UN Headquarters in New York this afternoon (Thursday, September 24, 2009 ).

Speaking on the occasion, Hon. Koirala pledged Nepal’s commitment to the democratic ideals and principles based on the rule of law, independent judiciary, socio-economic transformation, human rights and fundamental freedoms. Stating that Nepal had one of the most representative elected assemblies in the world with one-third of the members of the Constituent Assembly being women along with wide representation of people from all social and economic sectors including indigenous and ethnic groups, she said that the democratic partners had special stake in consolidating the newly restored democracies. She also exhorted democratic partner countries to generously support the new democracies in strengthening their democratic institutions and processes as investment in strengthening democracy in these countries was like an investment in peace and prosperity of the world. Nepal is one of the 110 countries endorsing Warsaw Declaration in June 2000 to establish the Community of Democracies.

3) On the sidelines of the 64th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Hon. Minister for Foreign Affairs Sujata Koirala had separate bilateral meetings with Vice-Premier and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Thoa and Foreign Minister of Singapore George Yeo this morning (Thursday, September 24, 2009).

During the meetings, they discussed prospects of further strengthening bilateral ties at political, economic and trade levels and promoting co-operation at international fora.

4) Hon. Minister for Foreign Affairs Sujata Koirala addressed the Conference on ‘Peace and Security through Women’s Leadership: Acting on 1325 and Climate Change’ on the margin of 64th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this afternoon (Thursday, September 24, 2009). The Conference was co-hosted by President Halonen of Finland and President Sirleaf of Liberia.

Stating that Nepal had made significant strides in the areas of women empowerment as women constitute 33 percent of the Constituent Assembly, she told that Nepal was fully aware of the role of women in peace process and their sustained involvement on the long-term peace building efforts.

Highlighting adverse impacts of climate change in Nepal, Hon. Foreign Minister Koirala stated that Nepal was very much concerned with the impending catastrophe as 19 percent of the land consisted of the Himalayan Region with great risks of ice-melting and outburst of glacial lakes affecting mountainous ecosystem and river system of the country and subsequent effect on agriculture and lives of the people.

The Hon. Foreign Minister also referred to the organization of a regional conference ‘Kathmandu to Copenhagen’ to create the momentum for sealing the climate deal in Copenhagen in December 2000. She stated that the maintenance of peace and security and combating of climate change remained elusive without the involvement of women.