Nepal

IRI has worked in Nepal since 2018 conducting legislative strengthening, civil society, and women’s and youth empowerment programs. After a decade-long armed conflict reconciliation and years of political deadlock, the Government of Nepal (Constituent Assembly) succeeded in enacting a new constitution in September 2015 to move the country forward into a new era through the introduction of a federal system of government. Historic elections successfully took place in 2017 at the national, provincial and local levels, resulting in an increase in the representation of women and marginalized peoples across all tiers of government.

IRI is implementing a USAID-funded project to improve the democratic functions of the Parliament and Provincial Assemblies. IRI’s work focuses on strengthening the legislative capacity of subnational government agencies and strengthening connections between the Federal Parliament and the Provincial Assemblies.

Targeted policy research is a key focus of IRI’s work in Nepal. IRI research findings and policy briefs are shared with Federal Parliament members and Provincial Assembly members, and have been used by provincial and federal parliamentarians to improve policies and laws.

Gender-Responsive Policymaking and parliamentary oversight of government policies on women and marginalized groups is also an area of focus. IRI conducts trainings for Provincial Assembly members on the formulation of gender-responsive policies and budget.

Our work in Nepal includes capacity-building trainings and knowledge-sharing workshops for Provincial Assembly members. IRI provides Federal Parliament Members constituent outreach skills and conducts joint knowledge-sharing workshops for Federal Parliament Committees and Provincial Assembly Committees. IRI also convenes Nepali lawmakers and citizens to discuss policy issues concerning women and marginalized communities.

IRI will continue its work in Nepal to encourage democratic resilience in this Himalayan state of immense geopolitical importance.