Kathmandu to host Global Gathering of Pastoralist Women

Kathmandu, May 19: The Global Gathering of Pastoralist Women is taking place in Kathmandu from May 26 to 29.

This conference is one of the first major global events under the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026, said the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the main organizer of the Gathering.

The Global Gathering of Pastoralist Women (Mera +16) will bring together pastoralist and ranching women from 40 countries around the world to celebrate and support their initiatives, strengthen solidarity and networks across regions, identify shared priorities, and amplify pastoralist women’s voices in international discussions about rangelands and pastoralism. 

The Gathering aims to ensure pastoralist women’s voices and perspectives are included in all decisions that affect them, from the local to the global.

The event will celebrate pastoralist women, their contributions to pastoralism, and their knowledge, skills and cultures. Pastoralist women will have an opportunity to share their experiences, challenges, innovations, successes and solutions, and to make global connections that endure beyond the event, increasing global solidarity, mutual support, and sense of worth. Participants will collaborate in revising/developing a shared policy agenda and prepare to carry forward.

It is stated that the main theme of this gathering is to review the 'Mera Declaration'. This declaration is an important political document prepared by pastoralist women at the World Forum held in the Mera region of India in 2010.

This declaration raises its voice for gender equality, livestock rights, and environmental protection. Even today, this document is considered important for the global campaign of women livestock farmers.

It is stated that pastoralist women and girls make up half of all pastoralists, who collectively steward global rangelands that account for nearly half of Earth’s land surface, two thirds of global biodiversity hotspots, and 16% of the world’s food supply. 

Pastoralist women’s contributions are critical to the future of pastoralist communities and food systems, which in turn are essential to safeguarding the world’s biodiversity, food security and climate resilience. By supporting pastoralist women and strengthening their networks and voices across the globe, we are helping secure the future of our planet and its cultural and biological diversity. (RSS)