Women’s leadership in the water, energy, food and ecosystem (WEFE) nexus in Nepal

However, despite waves of success credited to national movements and the country’s commitment to international instruments on gender equality, the reality falls short of real agency and autonomy for Nepali women.

In Nepal, the natural resource sectors are filled with narratives that call for women’s participation in user groups. But often these do not acknowledge or act on the gendered constraints to effective participation and leadership that continue to hinder integrated and holistic resource governance.  Although gender equality is key to the just and sustainable governance of natural resources, women are still underrepresented in decision-making in these sectors particularly with regard to leadership positions.