Local representatives promise to work towards sustainable development

Kathmandu, Dec 18,, The local level representatives have expressed commitments to make maximum efforts towards the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which include the issues of education, health, drinking water and social security facilities as well.
As they said, they have accorded first priority to the advancement of these sectors in their periodic plans and additional programmes especially for the empowerment of women were necessary.
The participants of an international conference on ‘women participation in the inclusive development of Nepal’, jointly organised by the Nepal Muslim Women Welfare Society and the World Muslim Communities Council they insisted that the women leadership at the local level should be more active to implement the women’s rights granted by the constitution into practice.
In the second day of the conference today, Beyond Beijing Committee expert Shanta Laxmi Shrestha highlighted the need of coming up with programmes capable of supporting the achievement of SDGs by the local governments.
Society Chair Seema Khan said despite significant political achievements in the recent years in the country, no substantive change was seen in the economic and social life of women from the marginalised community.
Council chair Dr Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi voiced that inclusive development was a must to meet the SDGs. He was of the view of involving marginalised women in income-generating activities to improve their economic standard.
Council secretary general Dr Mohammed Bechari said inclusive development would contribute to achieving the nation’s economic prosperity and sustainable development was possible only in the participation of women.
Former chief election commissioner Neel Kantha Upreti, National Planning Commission’s member Dr Usha Jha, National Information Commission member Yashoda Timilsina and rights activist Gauri Pradhan put their views in the opening day.
Muslim- related organistations of 142 countries in the world including the society are associated with the Council, the international organisation based in Abu Dhabi of UAE.
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