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 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.
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.
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.
On September 1, 2024, National Indigenous Women Forum (NIWF), in collaboration with Focus for Indigenous Girls (FIG) and with the support of MADRE, organized a 1-day Child Marriage Awareness Workshop at Sankhu Palubari Community School in Shankharapur Municipality, Kathmandu. This workshop aimed to raise awareness among young Indigenous girls about the impacts and risks associated with child marriage while fostering a supportive environment for them to share their thoughts and aspirations.
The workshop kicked off with a storytelling session, where participants listened to the story of a young girl grappling with the challenges of child marriage. After the storytelling session, the girls were divided into small groups for discussions. These groups were asked to engage in a thoughtful analysis of the story’s outcomes and explore how the girl's life might have been different had she been empowered to make her own decisions—particularly the decision to continue her education. The next activity, 'Art and Expression,' encouraged participants to use art supplies to create posters, drawings, or collages representing their aspirations. Each girl then explained her artwork to the group, reflecting on how child marriage could affect their goals and future ambitions. A critical component of the workshop was a presentation delivered by Ms. Manika Magar, member of Focus for Indigenous Girls (FIG). Ms. Magar’s presentation delved into the various risks and consequences of child marriage, both at a personal and societal level. She highlighted the negative health impacts associated with early pregnancies, including the increased risks of maternal and infant mortality, and the physical and emotional toll it takes on young girls. She also discussed the legal framework surrounding child marriage in Nepal, emphasizing that, although child marriage is illegal, it still persists in many communities due to entrenched cultural norms and economic pressures.
The workshop concluded with a sense of solidarity and empowerment among the participants. Through the combination of storytelling, discussion, and creative expression, the girls were not only educated about the dangers of child marriage but were also given the space to express their dreams and aspirations for the future.
The success of this workshop was evident in the feedback from the participants, who expressed gratitude for being part of a space where they could freely discuss their thoughts and share their personal goals. They left with a stronger understanding of their rights and the importance of education, armed with the knowledge to challenge the status quo in their communities. Through this impactful initiative, NIWF, FIG, and MADRE demonstrated their commitment to empowering Indigenous girls, fostering resilience, and contributing to the ongoing fight against child marriage in Nepal.
On 1st September, National Indigenous Women Forum (NIWF) held a program titled "National Level Consultation on Beijing +30 Review from Indigenous Women's Perspectives." The program was facilitated by NIWF's Executive Director, Ms. Dwarika Thebe. The event commenced with a warm welcome and opening remarks from NIWF's Chairperson, Ms. Suni Lama, who took the opportunity to highlight the organization's extensive work and achievements over its 26-year history, emphasizing its commitment to Indigenous Women's rights and issues.
Ms. Chanda Thapa, the resource person for the event, then took the floor to deliver a detailed and insightful briefing on the 12 critical areas outlined in the Beijing +30 framework. Her presentation was both informative and analytical, providing the participants with a clear understanding of the global priorities under the Beijing +30 agenda. Ms. Thapa paid particular attention to the three key areas that NIWF plans to prioritize in its ongoing and future efforts: "Women in Power and Decision-Making," "Violence Against Women," and "Women in the Environment." She meticulously outlined the gaps and shortcomings in the review report submitted by the Government of Nepal, emphasizing how these deficiencies disproportionately affect Indigenous women. Her analysis brought to light the unique perspectives and needs of Indigenous Women within the broader Beijing +30 context, advocating for a more inclusive and representative approach in policy formulation and implementation.
Following the briefing, the participants were divided into three focused groups, each tasked with delving deeply into one of the critical areas identified by NIWF. These group discussions were intensive and collaborative, as participants explored the specific challenges, opportunities, and strategies related to their assigned themes. The discussions were rich with diverse viewpoints and grounded in the lived experiences of Indigenous women. The participants considered various factors, such as cultural, social, and economic barriers, that influence the roles and status of Indigenous women in each of these areas. After thorough deliberations, each group presented their findings to the larger assembly. These presentations sparked further discussions and provided a platform for a thoughtful exchange of ideas among all participants. The collective insights from these group discussions were not only informative but also instrumental in identifying actionable steps that NIWF can take moving forward.
This event marked a pivotal moment in NIWF's ongoing efforts to amplify the voices of Indigenous Women and ensure their concerns and aspirations are adequately represented in policy discussions. It reaffirmed NIWF's role as a leading advocate for Indigenous Women’s rights and highlighted the importance of inclusive and participatory approaches in addressing the complex and intersectional challenges faced by Indigenous Women in Nepal and beyond. As NIWF continues to engage with the Beijing +30 process, the outcomes of this consultation will serve as a foundational element in their work, guiding their efforts to achieve meaningful and lasting change for Indigenous Women across all spheres of life.
