On May 17, 2024, National Indigenous Women Forum (NIWF), supported by Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD), conducted a consultation meeting on the "Preliminary Position Paper Draft on the Inclusive and Sustainable Implementation of the Reintegration Programme 2079" in Chautara Sagachokgadhi Municipality. The event gathered local stakeholders, including human rights defenders, journalists, government representatives, local NGOs, media, and the SaMi Project, to discuss the effective economic reintegration of Returnee Migrant Women and Indigenous Women in the municipality.
Sanu Maya Tamang, an Indigenous Returnee Migrant Women (IRMW) representative, presented the preliminary position paper draft. Following the presentation, participants provided insights, status updates, and constructive feedback. Their suggestions, comments, and queries were noted for potential inclusion in the revised position paper. The meeting also introduced mechanisms and strategies to the "Laganshil Adiwasi Mahila Samuha", focusing on how they can collectively support Returnee Migrant Women throughout the municipality, beyond just Wards 1 and 5.
The session concluded with the leader of the Group addressing all recommendations and suggestions made by the local stakeholders, ensuring their concerns and ideas were acknowledged and considered for future action.
Additionally, storybooks were distributed to the participants.
In 2018-2020, National Indigenous Women Forum (NIWF), conducted the Feminist Participatory Action Research (FPAR) that revealed the gendered impacts of the Sunkoshi-II Hydropower Dam that the Mahji Indigenous Community was facing. Along the course of the participatory study, it was determined that the Indigenous Women in the target site for the development project are unaware of the construction that will threaten their human rights, lives and livelihood including those of the others in the Communities. Currently, not much is known about the status of the Sunkoshi-II and Sunkoshi-III projects. Public hearings and consultations have supposedly been announced where various groups and sectors were encouraged to participate and chime in with regards to the possible impact of the development project. However, with the lack of diverse sources for news or updates on the hydropower dam, the development projects appear to remain shrouded in secrecy and lack of transparency.
On 30th May 2024, National Indigenous Women Forum(NIWF) in collaboration with Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD) and Center for Economic and Social Rights (CESR) conducted a press release on the findings of "Women Human Rights Impact Assessment (WHRIA) Pilot Test: Addressing Gendered Impacts of Development Projects". “The Sunkoshi river is connected to our identity and existence; if the hydropower project destroys the river, our existence, identity – language, rituals, culture – will be destroyed as well.” This was the resounding call of the Women from Kunauri and Bhatauli Communities who lamented the life-changing impacts of the Sunkoshi hydropower dam. Indigenous Communities are facing the threats of forced displacement and the subsequent loss of livelihoods, potential discrimination in enjoyment of economic and social rights, and the disruption to the beliefs and practice of cultural rituals and traditions that are essential rights of the Majhi Indigenous Peoples. Women will also face additional struggle of fending for their family.
On August 5, 2024, the National Indigenous Women Forum (NIWF) presented their Position Paper to the Chautara Sangachokgadhi Municipality in a formal ceremony. The handover was spearheaded by NIWF's Chairperson, Ms. Suni Lama, with the support of Treasurer Ms. Sushila Gole, Sachita Tamang, and other dedicated members of the forum. Together, they presented the document to Acting Mayor, Ms. Sita Thapa. 
During the event, Ms. Suni Lama delivered a speech highlighting NIWF's unwavering dedication to supporting Indigenous women who have returned from foreign employment. She stressed the importance of income generation, as well as family and social rehabilitation, for these women. Ms. Lama called on the municipality to implement proactive measures that would connect these women with viable income-generating opportunities, ensuring their economic stability and social integration. The program was facilitated by Sabnam Lama, who ensured the smooth flow of the proceedings. Additionally, Savita Tamang eloquently read the statement from the Position Paper, outlining the key points and recommendations proposed by NIWF.
On 8th September 2024, the National Indigenous Women Forum (NIWF) held a round table discussion to address the pressing issue of Indigenous Migrant Women, with a specific focus on the challenges faced by Indigenous Returnee Migrant Women (IRMW). The event was part of NIWF’s ongoing efforts to advocate for more inclusive policies and practices that recognize the unique circumstances of Indigenous women. The discussion was facilitated by Ms. Sabnam Lama and included presentations and an open dialogue between experts and participants. Ms. Mala Rai presented the key findings of NIWF’s research on IRMW, a study that used Feminist Participatory Action Research (FPAR). This approach ensured that the research was rooted in the lived experiences and voices of the women themselves, making their stories central to understanding the complex challenges they face. FPAR emphasizes collaboration with participants and empowers marginalized communities to play an active role in shaping research outcomes, rather than being passive subjects. Through this methodology, Ms. Rai and her team were able to capture the depth of the struggles faced by IRMW upon their return to Nepal, including economic instability, social isolation, and a severe lack of reintegration support. 
The session concluded with an open floor discussion, where participants, including activists, policymakers, and Indigenous women, provided feedback on the presentations. They shared experiences, discussed possible interventions, and offered recommendations. Many participants echoed the need for a more nuanced understanding of the intersectionality of gender, indigeneity, and migration in policy formulations. The discussion underscored the importance of developing comprehensive support systems for IRMW, such as mental health services, financial literacy training, and community-driven reintegration programs.
From 12-14 September 2024, NIWF’s Executive Director, Ms. Dwarika Thebe, Field Coordinator, Ms. Sanila Lama, Mentor Ms. Mala Rai, and Young Researcher Ms. Sabnam Lama represented NIWF at the 4th Asia Pacific Feminist Forum (APFF) held in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Organized by the Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law, and Development (APWLD), this significant tri-annual event brings together feminists, activists, and Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) from across Asia and the Pacific to discuss, share experiences, and strategize transformative actions for social change. The forum focuses on critical issues such as gender equality, environmental justice, human rights, and economic empowerment, providing a collaborative space for attendees to forge alliances and collectively address regional and global challenges.
As part of their contribution to this transformative platform, Ms. Thebe and Ms. Lama facilitated a workshop titled "Women in Our Power Fighting for Climate Justice: Weaving Our Stories of Struggles and Visions for a Truly Equitable and Sustainable Planet." This interactive session provided a creative and reflective space where participants could explore and share their experiences of climate justice. The workshop centered on how women, especially Indigenous women and marginalized communities, are disproportionately affected by climate change. To encourage deeper engagement, participants were divided into five groups, each representing different countries, and tasked with creating artistic representations of their nation's specific climate justice issues. These groups utilized various forms of visual expression—such as drawings, collages, and posters—to highlight the most pressing environmental challenges they faced, including deforestation, rising sea levels, water scarcity, and the displacement of Indigenous communities.
In addition to facilitating their workshop, the NIWF team participated in several other sessions organized during the APFF, each addressing key feminist and environmental issues. Among the sessions they attended were "Women Rise Up: Agroecology Practices of Rural Women in Asia," which discussed the role of rural women in sustainable agriculture, and "Trafficking the Money of Climate False Solutions," which critiqued the financial mechanisms behind inadequate global responses to climate change. Another thought-provoking workshop, "Good Feminist/Bad Citizen: Interrogating the Personal and Political," delved into the complex intersections of feminist activism and citizenship. The session "Indigenous Sisters: Remembering Together to Resist Together" was particularly impactful, as it focused on how Indigenous women can draw on shared histories of oppression and resistance to strengthen collective efforts in fighting for their rights.
After the APFF, on 15 September 2024, the NIWF team attended the Regional Migrants Convening Meeting. During this meeting, NIWF provided crucial insights from the perspective of Nepali Indigenous women, focusing on the specific challenges faced by migrant and returnee women in the context of labor rights, exploitation, and social reintegration.
Through their active participation in workshops, discussions, and cultural exchanges at the APFF, the NIWF team contributed to shaping the collective feminist agenda for the Asia-Pacific region, emphasizing the central role of Indigenous women in the fight for climate justice, gender equality, and human rights.
