Our Agendas

Advancing Gender Equality and Continuous Advocacy as Core Agendas of DidiBahini

Advancing Gender Equality and Continuous Advocacy as Core Agendas of DidiBahini

Since its establishment in 1991, DidiBahini has been working to promote gender equality, social justice, and inclusive development in Nepal through advocacy, research, and capacity building. In its early years, DidiBahini contributed to major initiatives such as women’s political empowerment research, gender advocacy training, curriculum development, and participation in the Beijing Conference. Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, it strengthened its work through gender mainstreaming in education, health, governance, natural resource management, and community development, while also launching key projects like WHEEL and RWSS.

Over the years, the organization has evolved into a pioneering institution linking grassroots realities with national and regional policy processes, translating evidence from communities into action on women’s political participation, gender-responsive governance, and equitable development across key social sectors. Advancing gender equality remains a central strategic priority of DB, grounded in the belief that inclusive and equitable societies are essential for sustainable democracy, peace, and development. The organization focuses on strengthening women’s leadership and institutional participation through gender mainstreaming in governance, political, and economic systems.

In collaboration with UN organizations, government institutions, and development partners, DB has implemented and contributed to key initiatives in Women in Politics and Gender in Governance, supporting leadership development of elected women representatives and promoting institutional reforms for gender-responsive systems.

DB also serves as the secretariat of a national alliance on women’s proportional participation in governance, bringing together civil society, media, academia, and political actors. Youth engagement is integrated as a cross-cutting approach to ensure intergenerational leadership and continuity. Through research, action learning, and community engagement under Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) and Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) frameworks, DB addresses structural barriers such as violence against women in politics, exclusion, and unsafe public spaces. Its Safe City and Women’s Safety Audit initiatives further strengthen evidence-based advocacy for safer and more inclusive environments.

Through this integrated approach, DidiBahini continues to strengthen inclusive governance and advance sustainable social transformation in Nepal.