• ANAJ

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Kathmandu .  On April 4, 2025, Nepal launched the 19th edition of the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2024, spotlighting gender justice as an essential pillar for achieving climate resilience and Zero Hunger. The event, co-hosted by Welthungerhilfe (WHH) Nepal and LI-BIRD (Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research, and Development), convened government representatives, development partners, civil society actors, and grassroots voices to assess Nepal’s progress and outline the path ahead for food and nutrition security.

Nepal’s Progress in Reducing Hunger Despite global setbacks in hunger reduction, Nepal has demonstrated remarkable progress. The 2024 GHI reports a 22.4-point decline in Nepal’s score since 2000—a 60.4% improvement—positioning the country at 68th globally and moving it from an “alarming” to a “moderate” hunger level.
However, persistent challenges remain:
• Child stunting stands at 24.8%, reflecting chronic undernutrition.
• Undernourishment and food insecurity remain pronounced among climate-vulnerable and marginalized communities.
Still, Nepal ranks among the countries achieving the fastest reductions in child stunting—a testament to targeted health and nutrition interventions.
Gender Justice as a Foundation for Zero Hunger
The GHI 2024 underscores the interconnectedness of gender inequality, climate change, and food insecurity. Women and girls face the highest risks, yet often have the least access to resources, decision-making, and adaptive solutions. Embedding gender justice into food systems and climate policies is not only a moral obligation—it is a strategic necessity.

The event was chaired by Dr. Pratap Kumar Shrestha, Chair of the Executive Board of LI-BIRD.
Mr. Shakeb Nabi, Country Director, WHH Nepal, emphasized, “Nepal has made notable gains, but remains highly vulnerable to climate-induced disasters. As women and girls suffer disproportionately, promoting gender justice is crucial to building resilient food systems.”

Hon. Minister Ram Nath Adhikari (MoALD) emphasized the government’s focus on agroecology and gender equality, highlighting priorities such as organic fertilizers, subsidies, bio-fertilizer production, and soil testing to promote sustainable agriculture. He also mentioned that the MoALD is currently planning to strategize the Agroecology Roadmap as a national document.

Dr. Ram Krishna Shrestha, Joint Secretary at MoALD, shared that the National Agroecology Roadmap aims to improve food security and livelihoods by building a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food system for smallholder and marginalized farmers.

Voices from the Field

Ms. Gauri Dahal, a woman farmer from Surkhet, shared her experience with the Green Karnali Project, which promotes organic farming and women-friendly equipment. Her group focuses on preserving indigenous seeds, vital for local resilience.

Mayor Mohan Maya Dhakal (Birendranagar Municipality) stressed the urgent need for coordination across the three tiers of government to implement climate-resilient programs in Karnali—the region most vulnerable to climate change while Dr. Doj Raj Khanal, Executive Director of NARC, called for policies to encourage youth to return to agriculture, focusing on sustainability over mechanization alone.

Adding to the GHI theme, Mr. Benjamin Seidel, Deputy Head of Mission, German Embassy, noted that global challenges like hunger and climate change demand international collaboration, and emphasized the role of female agri-entrepreneurship in reducing malnutrition. Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Ms. Bimala Rai Poudyal shared that ending hunger requires tackling gender and social inequalities, calling for redistribution of both resources and power. Ms. Mohana Ansari, former member of the National Human Rights Commission, stated, “The Constitution guarantees a dignified life, but food insecurity—exacerbated by inequality and climate change—threatens this right. Inclusive governance and legal awareness are essential.”

Local Innovation and Knowledge

Ms. Sita Pandey, Chief Manager of Munaa Bazar, highlighted the value of indigenous crops in improving nutrition, empowering women, and enhancing biodiversity. She called for better use of data and resources to guide agriculture policy and decision-making.
Ms. Pragya Devkota, World Food Forum, emphasized that women and youth are not just vulnerable, but key agents of change. She urged investment in technology access, concessional loans, and gender-sensitive mechanization to bridge the digital and economic divide.
Ms. Sharmila Pun, Technical Expert at WHH Nepal, stressed the need to address structural inequalities in food systems, saying, “Recognition, redistribution, and representation must guide our approach to climate and food justice.”

Dr. Hari B. KC, Joint Secretary, MoALD, discussed ongoing efforts to decentralize policies and localize food production and consumption. He also highlighted initiatives like agricultural insurance and the promotion of high-value resilient crops. He also highlighted that, as a member of the Technical Working Committee, he has contributed to incorporating gender justice, climate resilience, and overall food and nutrition security in the National Agroecology Roadmap.

The panel concluded with remarks from Dr. Kiran Rupakheti, who emphasized that while challenges persist, solutions exist. He highlighted the importance of continued progress through the gender-transformative, systems-based approach outlined in MSNP III. Dr. Rupakheti called for stronger inter-ministerial collaboration, thoughtful land use planning, and strategies to retain youth in agriculture. He stressed the need for openness, collective learning, and ensuring that the gender perspective remains central, assuring that the government stands in support. The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Dr. Pratap Kumar Shrestha, Board Chair, LI-BIRD.

Key Recommendations
The launch event concluded with a clear set of recommendations from the GHI 2024 report and panel discussions:
1. Integrate gender-transformative approaches into national food and climate policies.
2. Ensure inclusive leadership of women, youth, and marginalized communities in policy and decision-making.
3. Promote agroecology and indigenous knowledge systems for resilient, sustainable food production.
4. Expand access to resources, finance, technology, and markets, particularly for women and smallholders.
5. Invest in decentralized, community-led climate adaptation programs that prioritize local needs.
6. Strengthen multi-stakeholder collaboration across government, civil society, and international partners.
7. Uphold the right to food and food sovereignty through legal frameworks and policy reforms.

Conclusion

Nepal’s progress in reducing hunger is encouraging but incomplete without addressing the gendered dimensions of food insecurity and climate risk. The 2024 Global Hunger Index calls for an urgent, unified response rooted in justice, equity, and sustainability. Empowering women, youth, and Indigenous communities is not just a step forward—it is the foundation for building a food- and nutrition-secure future for all.