First national women prosecutors' conference kicks off

Kathmandu, Sept 8: The First National Women Prosecutors' Conference, 2025, kicked off in the federal capital today. 

Senior Justice at Supreme Court, Sapana Pradhan Malla, inaugurated the conference organized by the Office of the Attorney General. "It is encouraging to see 29.4 percent women making up total prosecutors in Nepal, she appreciated, pointing out the need that we still require more women attorneys in the decision making level.

The Senior Justice further said time has come to tackle the structural challenges to ensure meaningful participation in additional to increase in number. "At every stage, women are tested, so their strength counts when they perform well along with qualification," Malla said, encouraging the women prosecutors to break barriers by honing professional skills.

On the occasion, Attorney General Ramesh Badal informed that by 2090BS, there will be four deputy attorney generals in Nepal. He also expressed happiness over the increasing number of women attorneys in Nepal. If there are any discriminatory laws, we can make amendments gradually, he vowed.

Conference coordinator Joint Attorney Mina Gurung informed that the event would dwell on exchange of professional experiences, challenges and opportunities. "We have taken this conference as a historic event to establish the rights of women prosecutors at national level. Once the women attorney are competent, criminal justice system would be further strengthened and credible," Gurung explained. 

The two-day conference has begun under the theme, 'Empowerment of Women Attorneys: Strengthening of Criminal Justice System'. Some 250 women attorneys have attendance in the programme. 

Various five working papers would be presented on the occasion.

The conference aims to contribute to the strengthening of the criminal justice system with enhancement of professional capacity and development of women attorneys. 

The working papers will primarily focus on issues such as the current status of female attorneys, matters that are warranted to be addressed by the strategic plan of the Office of the Attorney General, the role of government attorneys in serving justice to victims of technology- assisted offences, and the participation of women prosecutors in the justice sector.

A panel discussion, one of the major highlights of the event, will center on balancing professional responsibilities with daily duties, and its impact on the professional growth of attorneys. The discussion will also explore strategies for promoting gender equality and ensuring a safe and inclusive workplace environment. The event is further expected to develop strategies aimed at transforming professional challenges into opportunities.

Even the "Kathmandu Declaration" would be issued following the conclusion of the event on Tuesday.

A total of 148 women prosecutors are participating, including four Deputy Attorneys Generals.

Participants also include a Justice of the Supreme Court, the Chairperson of the National Women Commission, the Attorney General, Deputy Attorneys General, female Secretaries and Joint Secretaries from the Nepal Judicial Service, all female judges from the High Court Patan and district courts within the Kathmandu Valley, the Vice Presidents of the Nepal Bar Association, as well as representatives and observers from relevant organizations. (RSS)