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FIWNA Fortnightly Discussion Series 1: CEDAW, and CEDAW Concluding Observation on the 7th Periodic Report of Nepal
The Federation of Indigenous Women of Nepal in America (FIWNA) organized a Virtual Interaction Program, on last Saturday 5 April 2025, on the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and CEDAW Concluding Observations on the 7th Periodic Report of the State Party Nepal. The presentation was followed by discussions focused on CEADAW highlighting the women's rights, Indigenous Women's rights, government responsibilities in recognizing the rights of Indigenous Women, CEDAW provisions, CEDAW shadow report, and CEDAW Concluding Observations and Recommendations to Nepal of 28 April 2025. Participants from the US were from New York, Maryland, and New Jersey, and some from Kathmandu, Nepal. The event was intended to educate members and (im)migrant Indigenous Women of Nepal in America about the CEDAW articles highlighting their importance in safeguarding gender equality and women's rights in the world, including US and Nepal.
Yasso Kanti Bhattachan, an expert on Indigenous
Women's rights and issues, and one of the prominent women activists and a founding member of the National Indigenous Women Federation, Nepal (NIWF), and Vice chair of the National Indigenous Women Forum (NIWF) made highly interesting and inspiring presentation on CEDAW, CEDAW Shadow Report and CEDAW Concluding Observation to Nepal. She explained CEDAW Articles from 1 to 30 in brief and selected para on Indigenous Women from the total 60 para. of CEDAW Concluding Observations on the 7th Periodic Report of the State Party Nepal. She emphasized their relevance, responsibilities of Nepal government in its meaningful implementation, and needed advocacy by Indigenous Women's movement, including FIWNA. She highlighted that while Nepal ratified CEDAW in 1991, the United States, despite being a leading advocate for human rights, has yet to ratify the convention. Yasso had a great appreciation of former Chair of CEDAW Committee Gladys Acosta and CEDAW Committee Member Bandana Rana for their historic contribution in the adoption of CEDAW GR No. 39 on the Rights of Indigenous Women and Girls (2022) and also the Concluding Observation on the CEDAW 6th Periodic Report of the State Party Nepal in 2018.
During her presentation, she focused the importance for women to understand their rights as outlined in each article of CEDAW and to hold governments accountable for their implementation. She pointed out challenges faced by Indigenous Women in Nepal and worldwide, noting massive shortcomings in the Nepalese government's implementation efforts despite ratification. She urged FIWNA and similar other women’s organizations to put pressure on governments to fulfill their obligations under CEDAW. She noted that Indigenous Women need to fight from gender equity and equality, on the one hand, and also equity and equality among women. She cautioned that though Indigenous Peoples have a tradition of egalitarian society, nevertheless, colonial and Hindu patriarchy have affected some and need to fight against patriarchy and gender inequality and violence against women within Indigenous communities. Indigenous Women have to fight with women from the dominant caste groups for equality among intersectionality, including Indigenous Women. She also cautioned as Indigenous Women's rights and issues are primarily rooted in self-determination, custodianship of lands, territories and resources in ancestral lands, customary self-governing institutions and laws, we need to focus on Indigenous feminism, not just on gender and/or feminism. She pointed out that CEDAW G.R. No. 39 is a best instrument to fight in both fronts.
Nimi Sherpa, President of the National Indigenous Women’s Federation (NIWF) in Nepal, shared her experiences growing up in a patriarchal society and highlighted her achievements, including summiting Mount Everest. Her remarks resonated deeply, inspiring participants with her journey as a powerful Indigenous woman in challenging circumstances. She shared her personal experience of discrimination based on gender and being Indigenous Women. Participants engaged in discussions and stood understanding questions, inspiring the dialogue on women's rights and governmental responsibilities.
The distinguished participants included Sangini Magar, founder and current adviser of both the National Indigenous Women Forum (NIWF) and FIWNA; Mayalu Tamang, a journalist and Indigenous Voice advocate from Nepal, and Parbati Thapa Magar, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Machche Gurung, Shipra Chaudhary, Maiya Tamang, Indra Rai, Bisnu Tamang and Heera Tamang from Nepal, and members of the FIWNA from all different states of the US.
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Dr. Krishna Bhattachan, an expert on Indigenous issues and sociologist, concluded the event with remarks on its significance. He highlighted that CEDAW is a convention originating from a UN Treaty Body and it is binding to those who ratify it. Dr. Bhattachan noted that while Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) addresses women's rights comprehensively in a straitjacket of women, it does not explicit highlight Indigenous women's issues. That is why the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) came up with CEDAW General Recommendations No. 39 on the Rights of Indigenous Women and Girls (2022) making it clear that CEDAW ensures, protects and promotes not only the rights of women in general but also the rights Indigenous Women. He noted that CEDAW GR No. 39 has been wedded between CEDAW from the UN Treaty Body and the UNDRIP form the UN Political Body, or between Gender and Indigenous Feminism. Hence, CEDAW G.R. No. 39 is highly valuable and useful to all Indigenous Women of the world, including Indigenous Women of Nepal, to engage in dialogue, and claim rights, including right to self-determination of Indigenous Peoples, of Indigenous Women with the government. With regards to CEDAW’s recommendation, twice- once in 14 November 2018 and twice recently on 28 April 2025, to Nepal government to Amend the constitution explicitly recognizing right to self-determination of Indigenous Peoples and all the rights of Indigenous Women in line with the UNDRIP, along with CEDAW G.R. No. 39, there is nothing to lobby at the international level as this is the optimal that we have already achieved. Hence, he emphasized to invest our time and energy for its realization Nepal. Additionally, Dr. Bhattachan praised FIWNA for its initiative and suggested regular events to address topics relevant to migrant/immigrant Indigenous women from Nepal in the US, signifying advocacy with local and State governments and senators. He suggested that FIWNA would submit a shadow report on the next periodic report of Nepal government. The presentation was followed by questions and answer. It was highly interactive and participatory.
The event was moderated by Indira Chongbang, President of FIWNA, facilitated discussions and concluded with expressions of gratitude to Yasso Kanti Bhattachan and participants and organizers alike, looking ahead to future sessions. She suggested the participants to read Yasso's interview on womenism/feminism in Nepal published in an online portal sandhaann.com. She informed that this is a first of a new series of regular discussions on pertinent issues of Indigenous Women of Nepal and Indigenous Women from Nepal in the US. She said Nogen (thanks in Yakthung (Limbu) language) to all for their active and lively participation in the discussions.
