Indigenous women of Nepal face multiple forms of discrimination. Indigenous women, being indigenous peoples, face racial, linguistic, religious, cultural, economic, political discrimination and exclusion. Also, indigenous women, being women, face gender discrimination. Thus, indigenous women are victimized by ideologies, policies and practices of Bahunbad (Brahmanism) and patriarchy.
Empowerment and strengthening of indigenous women is a must to end all forms of racial and gender discrimination, exploitation, suppression and oppression against indigenous women. Acceptance of multi-caste and ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-religious and multi-cultural reality of Nepali society by the people’s movement of 1990 has indeed paved a way for non-governmental organizations to contribute for empowerment and strengthening of indigenous peoples, women and other excluded groups and communities. There was growing realization for a need of organized efforts by indigenous women to make development programs for women and indigenous peoples successful, to organize and empower indigenous women from local to national levels on common issues of women, and to work for equity and equality by having common objectives on women’s common issues. It was in this backdrop that the National Indigenous Women Forum (NIWF) was founded in 1998.
There are not only common problems and issues of indigenous women and other women and also of indigenous women and indigenous men but also distinct problems and issues that are unique to indigenous women. Therefore, the National Indigenous Women Forum (NIWF) was established to support and raise awareness of indigenous women, to intensify advocacy for securing rights of indigenous women and indigenous children, and to run programs with focus on advocacy, training, discussion, interaction, study, and research as needed.
On November 15, 2024, the National Indigenous Women Forum (NIWF), in collaboration with UNESCO, hosted a side event at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Titled "Resilience at Risk: Impact of Loss and Damage from Climate Change on Indigenous Peoples," the event brought together policymakers, experts, and Indigenous representatives to deliberate on the urgent climate challenges facing Indigenous communities. The session featured a dynamic panel discussion moderated by Ms. Barsa Lekhi of UNESCO and chaired by NIWF's Chairperson, Ms. Suni Lama, who emphasized the importance of amplifying Indigenous voices in global climate dialogues.
The esteemed panelists included Dr. Sindhu Prasad Dhungana, Chief of the Climate Change Management Division, Government of Nepal; Dr. Sher Muhammad of ICIMOD; Mr. Mingma Chiri Sherpa, Chairperson of Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality; and Mr. Binod Parajuli of the Climate Risk and Resilience Lab. Together, they brought a wealth of expertise and diverse perspectives to the discussion, which centered on the disproportionate impact of climate change on Indigenous communities and the pressing need for collective action to address these challenges. The discussion underscored the urgent need for stronger collaboration between national and international agencies to prioritize Indigenous-led climate adaptation. Panelists agreed on the necessity of building resilient frameworks that address challenges from local to global levels, ensuring that Indigenous communities are at the forefront of climate action. The dialogue also spotlighted the invaluable contributions of Indigenous knowledge and practices in enhancing climate resilience, offering lessons for broader global strategies.
The session concluded with a set of actionable recommendations, including the promotion of inclusive policy-making, enhanced investment in risk reduction and adaptation measures, and greater recognition of Indigenous rights in climate governance. Participants left with a renewed commitment to work together to mitigate climate risks, safeguard vulnerable ecosystems, and empower Indigenous communities as key agents of change in the fight against climate change. This side event not only amplified the voices of Indigenous peoples but also reaffirmed their critical role in shaping a sustainable and equitable climate future.
On November 9 2024, National Indigenous Women Forum (NIWF) continued its “Aadivasi Haat Bazaar” at Thamel Cottage and Canadian Pub. Building on the success of the Bazaar’s previous installment, this event brought Indigenous artisans and producers into the heart of Kathmandu’s vibrant cultural. This continuation aimed to amplify the visibility of Indigenous products, increase awareness of sustainable and climate-smart farming practices, and provide an economic boost to Indigenous Women entrepreneurs by connecting them with a broader audience.
Aadivasi HaatBazaar offered an array of unique, handmade goods, traditional foods, and fresh, sustainably grown produce from Indigenous Communities. Visitors were able to experience a blend of Nepal’s rich cultural heritage with modern sustainability initiatives through the wide variety of products on display. Among these were handcrafted textiles, artisanal jewelry, cultural artifacts, and organically grown vegetables, each product reflecting Indigenous knowledge and eco-friendly practices. The Bazaar aimed to showcase the skill, creativity, and sustainable methods embraced by Indigenous Women, promoting an appreciation for traditional crafts and farming techniques that harmonize with the environment.
A special feature of this Bazaar was the fresh, climate-smart produce brought by NIWF’s Sankharpur Integrated Pest Management (IPM) group. The vegetables showcased were grown using Integrated Pest Management techniques, an approach that combines Indigenous wisdom with sustainable agricultural practices to reduce dependency on synthetic pesticides. Through IPM, the Sankharpur group minimizes environmental harm, enhancing soil fertility and biodiversity while promoting safe food production. For many visitors, this produce was an introduction to climate-smart farming and offered an opportunity to learn about the methods Indigenous communities are adopting to address climate challenges. By supporting this produce, visitors not only enjoyed fresh, healthy food but also contributed to the wider movement toward environmentally responsible agriculture in Nepal.
Through events like the Aadivasi Haat Bazaar, NIWF continues to create economic and social platforms for Indigenous women while advocating for sustainable practices that benefit both the community and the environment. The success of this Bazaar in Thamel underscores NIWF’s mission to uplift Indigenous women by combining economic empowerment, cultural celebration, and environmental stewardship in meaningful ways.
At CBD COP16 in Cali, Colombia, National Indigenous Women Forum (NIWF)'s Chairperson Suni Lama, along with Indigenous leaders from Nepal, collaborated with Nepalese government delegates to present a draft of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). As steering committee members, NIWF and NEFIN played an active role in shaping the draft, emphasizing Indigenous Peoples' perspectives, traditional knowledge, and the protection of Indigenous rights within biodiversity conservation policies. Through the active involvement of NIWF and NEFIN on the NBSAP steering committee, and Indigenous Biodiversity Professional Kamal Samarung who is a technical committee member of NBSAP, the perspectives of Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous women were integrated into the draft.
Their participation underscored the critical role of Indigenous communities in biodiversity stewardship, urging the inclusion of culturally rooted approaches within national conservation strategies. This draft submission aligns with broader Indigenous expectations for strong, inclusive frameworks under the Convention on Biological Diversity. Emphasizing Indigenous Communities’ unique role as stewards of biodiversity, Suni Lama and fellow representatives advocated for frameworks that prioritize Indigenous rights and incorporate community-led solutions within the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). Discussions underscored Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC) call for accessible, sustained funding, land rights security, and a biodiversity strategy acknowledging the unique relationship Indigenous Peoples have with nature. The Leaders highlighted that Indigenous knowledge systems and their traditional resource management practices are critical to global biodiversity goals, advocating for an inclusive approach that allows Indigenous leaders to actively shape conservation policies and priorities.
On October 27, 2024, National Indigenous Women Forum (NIWF) successfully organized the “Aadivasi Haat Bazaar” at Dhobighat Basketball Court, a unique marketplace showcasing the products of Indigenous Women. This event aimed to empower Indigenous Women by giving them a dedicated platform to showcase their traditional skills, market their sustainable goods, and build economic independence. In addition to promoting cultural pride, the Bazaar highlighted NIWF's commitment to climate-smart farming and sustainable practices within Indigenous communities, especially through the involvement of the Sankharpur Integrated Pest Management (IPM) group. A special performance by Nepal Tamang Ghedung marked the opening of the Bazaar.
On September 26-27, 2024, Temal Rural Municipality in Kavrepalanchowk District was hit by severe flooding caused by heavy rainfall. The flooding led to significant damage to homes, agricultural lands, and local infrastructure, leaving many families in urgent need of basic supplies, including food and shelter. The affected families, many of whom belong to Indigenous Communities, faced immediate hardships due to the loss of food stocks and damage to livelihoods. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the National Indigenous Women Forum (NIWF), in collaboration with Sankalpa, swiftly organized a relief distribution program to provide essential supplies to the flood-affected families.
The relief distribution took place on October 7, 2024, in Temal Rural Municipality. The program provided immediate assistance to 34 families who had been directly impacted by the flooding. These families were identified through local consultations and coordination with community leaders, ensuring that the aid reached those most in need. The relief package primarily focused on providing food supplies to the affected families, recognizing the immediate threat of food insecurity following the disaster. The food items distributed included: Rice, Lentils, Cooking oil, Salt, Sugar, Instant noodles, Biscuits and Bitten Rice. These essential food items were selected to provide temporary relief for the families.
