Asian Women Parliamentarian Caucus (AWPC), Thimphu, Bhutan 13th - 14th May, 2024

The National Commission for Women and Children in partnership with Regional Programme Political Dialogue Asia, Konrad-Adenauer Stiftung, convened Annual Asian Women Parliamentarian Caucus in Thimphu from May 13th - 14th, on the theme "Promoting Gender Equality and Climate Change Mitigation in Asian Parliaments.’’ The initiative aimed to bridge the gender gap and mitigate climate change impacts through exchange of knowledge and dialogue among the participants.

The event commenced with an inaugural ceremony graced by the Hon'ble Speaker of the Parliament of Bhutan and the Director of the Regional Political Dialogue Asia. The meeting fostered a safe and collaborative environment for discussion among parliamentarians to enhance women’s participation in political processes, followed by exchange of best practices and challenges in their respective countries.

The session highlighted intersection of gender and the climate crisis in participating nations, which remained a central topic throughout the two days of the caucus. Active networking further promoted more extensive engagements among women parliamentarians to address pressing issues of gender gap and climate change risk through sharing of experiences, setting policy priorities, and coordination to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The participating members include fourteen women parliamentarians from twelve Asian countries, including both present and former women parliamentarians of Bhutan, along with representatives from relevant Civil Society Organizations of Bhutan.