Woman laws at Bhutan
Bhutan has made notable strides in advancing women's rights through legal reforms and policy initiatives. However, challenges persist, particularly concerning gender-based violence and women's representation in leadership roles. Here's an overview of the current landscape:
⚖️ Legal Framework and Gender Equality Policies
Constitutional Guarantees: Bhutan's Constitution ensures equal rights for women and men, prohibiting discrimination based on gender.
National Gender Equality Policy (2020): This policy provides a comprehensive framework to promote gender equality and women's empowerment, aligning with international commitments such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Beijing Declaration.
Domestic Violence Prevention Act (2013): This legislation aims to protect individuals from domestic violence, offering legal remedies and support services.
🛡️ Gender-Based Violence and Support Systems
Prevalence of Gender-Based Violence: Despite legal frameworks, gender-based violence remains a significant issue in Bhutan. A 2017 study revealed that over 40% of women who experienced physical or sexual partner violence never reported the incident, and less than 5% sought help from support organizations
National Strategy for Elimination of Gender-Based Violence (2024–2028):Launched in March 2025, this strategy outlines a comprehensive approach to eliminate gender-based violence, focusing on prevention, response, and support systems
💼 Economic Rights and Workplace Equality
Legal Protections Bhutan's legal framework provides protections for women's rights in the workplace, including equal pay for equal work and freedom of movemen.
Areas for Improvement Challenges remain in areas such as women's work after childbirth and constraints related to marriag.
🗳️ Political Participation and Representation
*Women's Representation: Despite commitments to promote gender equality in elected offices, women's representation remains limited. In the 2023 National Council elections, only one woman was elected, and fewer than 10% of registered candidates for the National Assembly elections were womn.
*National Action Plan for Gender Equality in Public Administration: This plan aims to increase women's representation in civil service to 45% and in decision-making roles to 30% by 209.
📊 Gender Equality Indicators
*Legal Frameworks: Bhutan scores 100 in areas such as freedom of movement, workplace equality, and pay equty.
*Marriage and Parenthood: The country scores 80 in these areas, indicating some legal constraints affecting women's decisions related to family lfe.
*Entrepreneurship and Assets: Bhutan scores 25 in these areas, highlighting challenges in women's access to economic opportunities and resoures.
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While Bhutan has established a strong legal and policy foundation for gender equality, ongoing efforts are needed to address persistent challenges, particularly in combating gender-based violence and enhancing women's representation in leadership roes.
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