KATHMANDU: The United Nations states that gender equality, besides being a fundamental human right, is essential for achieving peaceful societies, realizing full human potential, and ensuring sustainable development.

Globally, it is widely recognized that societies that promote gender equality tend to be more stable, prosperous, and resilient.

Furthermore, research and international experience consistently demonstrate that empowering women enhances productivity, strengthens governance, and accelerates economic growth by enabling half of the population to participate fully in social, political, and economic life.

Gender equality has been identified as Goal 5 among the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations and its Member States, to be achieved by 2030. The inclusion of gender equality as a standalone goal underscores its central importance in the global development agenda.

It reflects a shared international commitment to realizing a 50–50 planet, where women and men, and people of all genders, enjoy equal rights, opportunities, and representation across all spheres of life.

Importantly, progress on gender equality is closely interconnected with the achievement of other SDGs, including poverty reduction, quality education, good health and well-being, decent work, and climate action.

In the national context, the Constitution of Nepal (2015) has incorporated the spirit of gender equality as a foundational principle of the state.

The Constitution clearly states in its preamble that Nepal is “resolved to build an egalitarian society founded on the principles of proportional inclusion and participation in order to ensure economic equality, prosperity, and social justice, by eliminating discrimination based on class, caste, region, language, religion, gender, and all forms of caste-based untouchability.”

This constitutional commitment establishes gender equality not only as a policy priority but as a shared responsibility of the state and its citizens.

Accordingly, it has become a normative expectation for all stakeholders to work toward the advancement of gender equality.

However, achieving gender equality requires sustained and coordinated interventions across sectors.

Governments, educational institutions, civil society organizations, the private sector, and local communities must work collectively to dismantle structural barriers, challenge discriminatory social norms, and eliminate unequal practices. Raising awareness about gender-based inequalities and motivating individuals and institutions to act as agents of change are essential steps in building a more just, inclusive, and equitable society.

As highlighted by Plan International, gender inequality persists in many forms, including disparities in girls’ education; limited leadership and participation opportunities for girls and women; child marriage; gender-based violence; teenage pregnancy; sexual harassment and catcalling; bullying, discrimination, and harassment in workplaces, educational institutions, families, and communities; and the reinforcement of harmful gender stereotypes in schools and professional environments.

Additionally, persistent gender gaps in property ownership and asset management rights continue to limit women’s economic autonomy and security. These inequalities remain deeply embedded in everyday social structures and practices.

In this context, the role of academia is particularly critical. Universities and research institutions play a pivotal role in advancing gender equality through knowledge production, policy-oriented research, curriculum development, and public engagement.

By fostering critical thinking and inclusive values, academia helps shape graduates who are capable of identifying, questioning, and challenging discrimination in all its forms. Higher education thus becomes a powerful platform for social transformation and long-term change.

The engagement of gender discourse in academia began long before Women’s Studies emerged as a formal field in the 1960s.

Gender discourse gained significant momentum during the second wave of feminism in the 1960s, driven by growing recognition that women’s experiences were omitted or distorted in knowledge production. Feminist scholars began exposing male biases across disciplines, rewriting women’s histories, and challenging sexist theories.

Recognizing this necessity, the Tribhuvan University has been offering academic programmes in Gender Studies, aimed at producing skilled professionals, researchers, and advocates in the field.

By enrolling in the Master’s Degree in Gender Studies at TU, students are not merely earning an academic degree; they are becoming part of a broader collective movement that works toward social justice, equality, and inclusive development.

In an increasingly fast-paced and complex society, engaging with gender as an analytical lens is essential for understanding and transforming social, political, and economic systems, rather than treating gender concerns as secondary or optional.

It’s fair to say that Gender Studies equips students with critical tools to analyze inequality, challenge outdated norms, and promote inclusive development. Graduates of the programme emerge with strong research skills, analytical capacities, and practical expertise to address pressing societal challenges in Nepal and beyond.

They are well prepared to contribute meaningfully to policymaking, development practice, advocacy, education, and media.
Established in 2009, the Master’s Degree course in Gender Studies at Tribhuvan University is Nepal’s first full-fledged, two-year graduate programme dedicated to this vital discipline.

The curriculum integrates theoretical foundations with practical engagement, enabling students to work closely with change makers, government bodies, media organizations, and academic institutions. This integrated approach ensures that classroom learning is translated into real-world impact.

Through- out the two-year course based on semester-system, students are trained to critically examine social structures, develop inclusive policies, conduct gender-sensitive research, and engage with diverse stakeholders to bring about meaningful and sustainable change.

The programme not only builds academic competence but also fosters ethical responsibility, leadership, and a strong commitment to equality.

For students passionate about driving social change and contributing to a more equitable and inclusive society, the Master’s Degree in Gender Studies at TU offers a unique and impactful academic pathway.

Those who aspire to shape Nepal’s future through informed action, research, and advocacy are strongly encouraged to explore this field of study and become active contributors to gender equality and sustainable development.

By advancing gender equality through academic engagement, Nepal has the potential to play a meaningful role in reducing persistent gender disparities. The country’s ranking fell to 125th in 2025, with a score of 0.648, down from 0.664 in 2024, underscoring the ongoing need for consistent and evidence-based efforts.

In this context, reinforcing gender-focused academic programmes is essential for addressing these challenges and promoting greater equality across society.

[Author is the Head of the Central Department of Gender Studies, TU]