Close

Close

Nepal

Nepal

WFD works to strengthen the UK-Nepal democratic and parliamentary relationship by sharing knowledge and best practices and exchanging experiences through bilateral as well as regional forums. WFD encourages and supports peer-to-peer learning between parliaments, MPs, and parliamentary staff, as well as one-on-one mentoring, meetings, national workshops, regional seminars, and international conferences. This work benefits and strengthens the functioning of parliamentary practitioners.

WFD supports Nepal in implementing the reforms promised under the Nepalese Constitution, including the devolution process. These reforms are intended to bring about better services for citizens, a more equal distribution of resources among the regions, greater levels of gender equality, and the inclusion of all Nepalis and their representatives in decision-making processes.

Context

Nepal brought its constitution into effect in September 2015, fulfilling a decades-old wish of many Nepali people to write a statue through their elected representatives. The constitution, for the first time in Nepal’s history, brings together seven provinces in a federation and promises more robust social justice by, among other things, ensuring greater representation of previously underrepresented groups and sections of society in the political process. Federal parliament, provincial assemblies and local governments were elected in 2017.

Current programmes

Improving accountability through more robust parliamentary scrutiny of government performance

Status

Underway

3

Increased recognition of the rights and fundamental role of women and under-represented groups

Status

Underway

3

Selected Key Results

Collaborated with federal parliament to introduce post-legislative scrutiny (PLS), which led to the assessment of seven different laws.

Worked with first time women MPs from marginalised group, focusing on their efforts to make their work more visible and challenge patriarchal norms

Icon of trainer

Supportred efforts to conduct, monitor and disseminate research on cases of online violence against women political activists in Nepal.

Icon of trainer

Supported factcheckers to address electoral misinformation and disinformation.

Latest articles

A woman in the foreground is typing at a computer. You can see other people behind her.

Democracy success stories: Episode 4 (Nepal)

Democracy is good for people and our planet – but it does not thrive on its own. In Nepal, WFD worked with partners to address mis and disinformation around the 2022 elections. Discover the story in episode 4 of our democracy success stories series.

A WFD team member addressing provincial assembly members in Nepal.

Scottish-Nepali learning exchange on post-legislative-scrutiny

Westminster Foundation for Democracy organised a peer-to-peer learning visit between the member of Scottish Parliament and Nepal’s federal parliament and provincial assemblies.

People sitting around a table

MPs in Nepal scrutinise decades-old laws invoked by Government to respond to COVID-19

In April 2020, as Nepal’s parliament is awaiting to be convened for its Summer (budget) Session and the country entered its sixth week of lockdown, some parliamentary committees resumed their business.

Remote learning sessions with Nepal’s women MPs

Women’s political leadership results in better outcomes for society and delivers progress in policy areas vital for economic growth and development. Democracy cannot meaningfully exist if more than half of the population is not wholly engaged equally in decision-making.

Contact us

A portrait image of Dinesh

Dinesh Wagle, Country Director

Nepal