KATHMANDU, March 14: The Pre-sessional working group on the 71st Session of Convention on Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) is being called from March 12 to 16 in Geneva, Switzerland. Four speakers representing different NGOs of Nepal presented oral statements on the implementation situation of CEDAW in Nepal, proposing actions to be taken by the state for the implementation.

One of the speakers, Prativa Maiya Shrestha representing Stri Shakti, presented oral statement on Women Education. Likewise, Sabin Shrestha representing Forum for Women, Law and Development (FWLD) spoke on the issue of citizenship, Reproductive Health, Trafficking in persons and Gender Based Violence. Another speaker Durga Thapa representing Blue Diamond Society presented oral statement on Violence and Discrimination against Intersex women, lesbians, bisexual women and transgender persons in Nepal. Meanwhile, Purna Shrestha representing Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR) spoke on the issue of Reproductive Health Rights.

The pre-session was held to present a draft report raising national issues to be included in the List of Issues (LOI) in order to propose to Government of Nepal in the main session. LOI is prepared by the Working Group of CEDAW to discuss during the main session of CEDAW that is set to be held on October in Geneva.