National-Level Training Workshop on Writing, Adoption, and Implementation of Gender Policy for Trade Unions

SARTUC, in coordination with the South Asia Gender Platform (SAGP) and Mondiaal FNV, successfully organised a two-days training workshop on “National Level Training Workshop on Writing, Adoption, and Implementation of Gender Policy for Trade Unions” in Lalitpur, Nepal, on 10-11 April 2025. The primary aim of this workshop was to emphasize the significance of gender policies for trade unions and outline their transformative potential in addressing workplace inequalities.

National Level Training Workshop on Writing, Adoption, and Implementation of Gender Policy for Trade Unions

The participants were from all of SARTUC’s Nepali affiliates (GEFONT, NTUC, and ANTUF) and additionally joined by representatives from JTUCC and NNSM. Importantly, gracious presence and inspiring speeches from honourable Members of Parliament (MPs) encouraged SARTUC to work further for the betterment of workers’ rights and decent work. Also, we are grateful to all the honourable MPs for their commitment to raising their voices in parliament for the ratification of ILO C190 in Nepal. SARTUC is thankful to all the MPs, national trade union centres and their presidents for their valuable speeches, Sister Nishi Jee, Brother Prabhu Jee (Mondiaal FNV), Facilitator – Sister Radhika Dhingra Jee, and importantly participants for their engaging and active participation throughout the programme.

The adoption of comprehensive gender policies within trade unions is not only a moral imperative but also a practical necessity. Such policies can amplify the voices of underrepresented groups and address critical workplace issues, fostering more inclusive and equitable labour practices. Moreover, integrating gender-sensitive approaches ensures that trade unions remain relevant in the evolving socio-economic landscape, where diversity and inclusion are increasingly recognized as essential drivers of progress.

In the context of Nepal, the need for gender policies in unions is especially pressing. Women constitute a significant portion of the workforce, particularly in informal and precarious employment, where vulnerabilities are heightened. Despite their substantial contributions, their participation in union leadership remains minimal, and their concerns are often overlooked. Socio-cultural barriers, coupled with limited awareness of gender equity issues, further exacerbate the challenges.

Objectives:

  • To capacitate the trade union’s representatives on writing gender policy and its implementation at all the levels in trade unions in Nepal;
  • To discuss the global best practices and share best practices of gender policies in Nepali trade unions and their implementation;
  • To understand the gender inequalities and gender specific challenges, particularly in terms of the persistent wage gap, job precarity, and workplace discrimination experienced by women in the world of work in context of Nepal;
  • To strengthen the advocacy campaigns from trade union perspective for the ratification of ILO C190 in Nepal;
  • To co-create draft gender policies suited to participants’ own union contexts;
  • To foster inclusive leadership and build practical strategies for policy implementation.

Date and Venue:

  1. Date: 10-11 April, 2025
  2. Venue: Square Hotel, Pulchowk-3, Lalitpur, Nepal

 The Participants:

There were representatives from;

  • National trade union centres (SARTUC affiliates – GEFONT; NTUC; ANTUF); JUTCC; ITUC-NAC; Member of Parliaments (MPs); SARTUC committee members; Civil Society Organisations (CSOs); FNV Mondiaal; SAGP; SARTUC secretariat