Sensitization Program on Women's and Children's Rights for Members of Parliament.

The Secretariat to the National Commission for Women and Children conducted a high-level sensitization program from April 29 to May 2, 2024, in Haa intended to raise awareness and facilitate meaningful dialogue among parliamentarians. The first two days were dedicated to engaging Honorable Members of Parliament from the National Assembly, from April 29-30, 2024, while the subsequent two days, from May 1-2, 2024, saw participation from the National Council. Throughout these sessions, parliamentarians actively participated in insightful discussions aimed at tackling the diverse challenges faced by women and children in our society.

The program began with in-depth discussions on gender and child protection concepts, aiming to enhance participants' comprehension of these critical issues. Through interactive group discussions and presentations, parliamentarians explored the complexities surrounding gender-based violence and child protection, advocating for substantive policy interventions. Emphasizing key focus areas such as promoting the rights of women and girls, increasing awareness of relevant legislation and policies, and understanding the institutional framework of the Women and Children Division, the program facilitated knowledge exchange and idea sharing. Ultimately, it empowered parliamentarians to become advocates for the rights and welfare of women and children in their legislative efforts.

We're dedicated to building on the momentum from this program to create a more inclusive society. We would like to thank all the participants for their engagement. The program was supported by Save the Children and UNICEF.

Participants’ Composition

The two-day program brought together 33 participants from the National Assembly of Bhutan (NAB), consisting of 28 male MPs and one female elected representative (MP), along with three females from the Women, Children, and Youth Committee of the House. Following the session with NAB, 28 MPs from the National Council of Bhutan also attended the two day sensitization program, among whom were 19 male MPs, two female representatives (MPs), and five officials (3 males, 3 females) from the National Council Secretariat.