Budget: Govt declares upcoming year as ‘Year for Investment in Women’

KATHMANDU: The government has declared the upcoming financial year as the 'Year for Investment in Women'. Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun made this declaration while presenting budget for the fiscal year 2024/25 at a joint session of both houses of the Federal Parliament today.

It's worth noting that this year's International Women's Day was celebrated with the theme, 'Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress'.

The 'Year for Investment in Women' is being celebrated as a campaign against violence towards women. The finance minister also announced the establishment of 'Koseli Ghar', or gift stores, which will sell local products and promote women entrepreneurs.

In addition, the government has allocated Rs 100 million for the 'Prime Minister's Daughter Programme'. The 'Yuwa Mahila Rastriya Mahila' programme will also continue into the next year. The Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens has been allocated a budget of Rs 1.6 billion.

As per the budget statement, a sales centre will be set up in Chobhar to commercially promote products made by women. The President's Women Upliftment Programme, which aids in the rescue of pregnant women and new mothers from remote areas, will be continued. The President's Entrepreneurship Award will be introduced for women's empowerment, and efforts will be made to increase women's participation in sports.