Empowering Local Governance for Inclusive Planning and Budgeting: Addressing Issues Affecting Women and Children.

The National Commission for Women and Children (NCWC), in collaboration with UNFPA, successfully conducted a three-day Local Government Capacity Development Program to strengthen the ability of local leaders to plan, budget, and implement gender-inclusive and child-sensitive development initiatives.

The program convened Thrompons, Dzongkhag Tshogdu Thrizins, Planning Officers, Finance Officers, and Gewog Administrative Officers, enhancing their understanding of legal mandates, strategic planning, and gender-responsive budgeting. Through expert-led sessions from the Ministry of Finance, the Department of Local Governance and Disaster Management, the Office of the Cabinet Affairs and Strategic Coordination, and a national Gender Expert, participants gained practical insights on mainstreaming gender and child protection in local governance.

The training concluded with reflective discussions on local social issues and strategies to apply gender and child-sensitive approaches in planning. As a result, participants reported an improved grasp of their roles and increased confidence in integrating inclusive priorities into local development processes.

The NCWC remains committed to translating policy into action that promotes equity, social justice, and protection for all.

The session also featured advocacy on the National Strategy and Framework of Action on the Elimination of Gender-Based Violence, which was recently launched by Her Majesty Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck on the occasion of the International Women’s Day on 8th March 2025.

We extend heartfelt appreciation to UNFPA for their continued support in advancing efforts to prevent and address violence against women and children, including gender-based violence- efforts that are further strengthened through the empowerment of local government leaders.