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KATHMANDU: The Consortium of South Asian Think-Tanks (COSATT) in cooperation with the Political Dialogue Asia Programme of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) has begun a two-day conference on 'Women and Foreign Policy in South Asia' in Kathmandu.
Guest speakers and experts convened to discuss and shed light on the pressing issue of gender equality in various aspects of foreign policy and global development.
The conference welcomed speakers including Dr Joelle Hivonnet, a delegation of the European Union to Nepal, Megha Sarmah, programme manager of the 2030 Agenda at KAS, and Gaitri Issar Kumar, a retired Indian Foreign Service officer. Notably, Dr Nishchal N Pandey was the programme convener, overseeing the event.
Dr Joelle Hivonnet's remarks centred on the need for enhanced gender equality despite progress in politics and various sectors worldwide. She highlighted the inadequacy of women's representation in high-level positions and peace-building processes, emphasizing the importance of training and empowerment to promote their participation. Hivonnet underlined the pivotal role women have played in peace development processes and foreign policy decisions.
Gaitri Issar Kumar discussed the urgency of addressing challenges — arising from conflicts and disputes — being faced by women today. She celebrated Sweden's groundbreaking adoption of the feminist foreign policy in 2014 and emphasized the importance of women's involvement in decision-making and peace-building efforts. Kumar also referenced the UN Women Report of 2020 and cited instances of impactful women leaders who have instigated significant change.
Megha Sarmah, the programme manager of the 2030 Agenda at KAS, emphasized the need for women’s collective action. Andreas Klein, Director of the Regional Programme Political Dialogue Asia based in Singapore, virtually addressed the event. He detailed KAS's active engagement in promoting women's participation across various sectors in South Asia.
The conference resonated with calls for greater inclusivity and representation of women in high-stakes decision-making processes, peace-building initiatives, and foreign policy.
The event's distinguished speakers collectively underscored the vital role women have played in shaping a more equitable and just world. The conference's discussions and insights mark a significant step forward in the ongoing global dialogue about gender equality, foreign policy, and sustainable development in the South Asian context.
The event commenced at 9:30 this morning at The Malla Hotel in Lainchaur.
