Kathmandu. The National Cooperative Federation of Nepal (NCFN) is going to organize the International Cooperative Women’s Conference 2026 with the slogan ‘Women in Leadership, Cooperatives for Prosperity’ on June 20-21, 2026 at Heritage Garden in Lalitpur. The conference aims to highlight women’s empowerment, economic self-reliance and leadership role of women in cooperatives sector in the international arena.

The conference is expected to be even more relevant in the context of the United Nations declaring 2026 as the ‘International Year of Farmer Women’. In Nepal, more than 80 percent of women in rural areas are directly involved in agriculture. About 56 percent of the cooperatives are actively involved in the 32,000 cooperatives operating in Nepal.

The leadership and contribution of women, especially in agricultural cooperatives, is remarkable. Women have played an important role in strengthening the financial base of cooperatives, starting with small self-help groups. Their role in regular savings, disciplined financial management and productive use of credit is exemplary.

Similarly, women have played an important role in reviving the rural economy by investing and running enterprises through cooperatives in sectors such as agriculture, animal husbandry, small and cottage industries, handicrafts and retail trade. The participation of women in the posts of president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer and others in cooperatives is increasing. This has strengthened women’s representation in institutional governance and policy-making processes.

The cooperative sector, which is the pillar of the rural economy, has been playing a significant role in the empowerment of women. Financial empowerment and financial access through savings and credit services, as well as women-targeted entrepreneurship development and job creation. Cooperatives have helped a lot in enhancing self-reliance, self-confidence and self-respect.

Similarly, the cooperative, which has played an important role in increasing participation in the decision-making process by developing the leadership of women cooperatives, has contributed to the promotion of social awareness, rights and health education. It also makes women active participants in family and community decision-making.

The main objective of the conference is to highlight the contribution of women farmers and cooperatives, strengthen gender-responsive policies and practices, enhance women’s leadership and institutional participation, and exchange international best practices. It also aims to promote entrepreneurship, employment, market access, policy, dialogue and advocacy, and expand international collaboration and networking.

During the conference, policy dialogues and presentation of working papers, exhibition of products produced by women cooperatives, felicitation of outstanding women cooperative entrepreneurs, cooperative observation tour, cultural program and world heritage observation and optional mountain sightseeing will be held. These events are expected to comprehensively showcase the skills, productivity, and leadership skills of women in the cooperative sector.

The conference is being organized by the Federation in collaboration with the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Federal Affairs and is being co-hosted by the National Cooperative Bank, Nepal Savings and Credit Central Cooperative Association, Small Farmers Development Laghubitta Sanstha, ILO Nepal Country Office and Heifer International.

Similarly, representatives of various primary cooperative organizations will also participate in the program with the support of thematic central, provincial and district level cooperative associations.

The conference is expected to contribute to women empowerment, economic self-reliance and social inclusion through cooperatives. It is also expected to strengthen sustainable agricultural systems, gender equality and cooperative cooperation by establishing women’s leadership at the international level. The Summit is expected to establish Nepal as an important centre for international cooperative dialogue and women-led development by realizing the objectives of ‘International Year of Women Farmers 2026’.