CIN, Rupandehi, conducted the study aimed to assess gender equality and non-discrimination in the private sector workers in Nepal under the Governance and Rule of Law programme of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This study assesses how private enterprises uphold gender equality and human rights in business practices. The data was collected through the workers and enterprises representatives survey, observation using checklist, Key informant interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussion (FGDs) with groups of workers and community people, covering 333 worker’s surveys, 39 KIIs, 17 FGDs and 158 representatives of enterprise. Although the private sector drives 81.55% of Nepal’s GDP and employs 85.6% of the labor force, significant disparities remain especially for women, marginalized castes, and persons with disabilities. Despite some awareness of national laws, most small and medium enterprises (SMEs) lack formal policies aligned with international standards. Women continue to face wage gaps, exclusion from leadership, and lack of flexible work accommodations. Only 14% of workers had formal contracts, and many lacked social protections. Discrimination based on caste, ethnicity, and gender persists, while harmful environmental practices adversely affect workers and local communities. While a few multinational enterprises demonstrate better practices, most rely on informal, inadequate systems. Overall, the study reveals a critical gap between policy and practice, highlighting the urgent need for enforceable reforms, inclusive hiring, worker protections, and corporate accountability aligned with Nepal’s Labour Act, the UNGPs, and international labor conventions.
