Lalitpur, 12 May 2026 – Across Nepal’s hills and valleys, women are building businesses from the hive up, producing honey, leading cooperatives, and competing in domestic and international markets. Yet for many, persistent barriers in market access, quality systems and financial support continue to limit how far they can grow. Addressing these gaps is not only a matter of economic fairness: it is essential to unlocking the full potential of Nepal’s honey sector and building more resilient, inclusive rural economies.
To accelerate this change, UNIDO, through the Global Market Access Programme (GMAP) Nepal, funded by Norway and in collaboration with the Centre for Industrial Entomology Development (CIED) and the Federation of Women Entrepreneurs’ Associations of Nepal (FWEAN), convened the “Women in the Honey Industry: Dialogue and Exhibition” on 12 May 2026, coinciding with the first International Day of Women in Industry. The gathering brought into focus how women-led honey enterprises contribute to rural livelihoods, biodiversity conservation and inclusive industrial growth, and what it will take to help them grow further.
Nepal’s honey sector holds significant untapped potential. Women are central to its production, yet they remain underrepresented in its formal markets. The dialogue drew women honey entrepreneurs, cooperatives, technical experts, development partners and private sector buyers together around a shared goal: strengthening the value chain so that women’s contributions translate into lasting economic gains.
The conversation surfaced clear priorities: women-led honey enterprises need stronger quality infrastructure, more effective branding, and deeper connections to buyers, locally and internationally. Food safety and quality assurance were identified as critical enablers, not just regulatory requirements, but tools that build buyer confidence and open export markets. Participants were united in their view that when women entrepreneurs can meet international standards and forge direct producer-buyer relationships, they gain the leverage to grow sustainably and integrate into regional and global value chains.
“Women in the honey industry are not only creating income opportunities for their families, but also building confidence, leadership and stronger rural communities. However, challenges related to market access, quality assurance systems and social limitations persist and need to be addressed. For many participants, this was the first opportunity to connect with women honey entrepreneurs from across Nepal, exchange experiences and build networks that can support their continued growth,” said Mahalakshmi Shrestha, Vice President of FWEAN and honey entrepreneur.
Seven women entrepreneurs, one from each of Nepal’s provinces, were recognized for their contributions to the honey industry and for demonstrating the potential of women-led enterprises in industrial value chains.
The event also featured an exhibition of honey and honey-based products from women-led cooperatives and enterprises, helping create business promotion opportunities and market exposure.
The International Day of Women in Industry was officially proclaimed in 2025 through a resolution adopted at the UNIDO Global Industry Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, reflecting a global commitment to advancing women’s participation and leadership in industry.
For more information, please contact Juan Pablo Diaz-Castillo: j[dot]diaz-castillo[at]unido[dot]org