Bhutan: International Women’s Day 2026 will be observed in Haa Dzongkhag under the global theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls”, as part of a high-level advocacy initiative led by Her Majesty Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck to promote gender equality, strengthen access to justice, and advance sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) across Bhutan.
The event will be coordinated by RENEW, IPPF’s Associate Member in Bhutan, in partnership with the National Commission for Women and Children (NCWC), the Ministry of Health (MoH) and UNFPA. For more than 27 years, Her Majesty has led nationwide advocacy efforts addressing issues such as safe motherhood, sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS, and the prevention of gender-based violence. These efforts have contributed to important progress in Bhutan’s approach to sexual and reproductive health and gender equality.
Bhutan has also made notable advancements in maternal and child health and in strengthening the legal and policy environment supporting women and girls. However, challenges remain. According to Bhutan’s National Health Survey 2023, 25% of partnered women in Bhutan have experienced one or more forms of violence, while 44% of women and girls agree that a husband may be justified in hitting his wife under certain circumstances. These findings highlight the urgent need to address harmful social norms and strengthen systems that protect women and girls.
RENEW is dedicated to the empowerment of women and children in Bhutan and to advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), with particular attention to survivors of domestic violence and sexual and gender-based violence. Over the years, RENEW has evolved from its founding focus on addressing sexual and gender-based violence into an organization that serves women in all their diversity, including those often left behind. As part of this broader commitment, RENEW is also intensifying efforts to address the need for stronger support systems and services to prevent unintended teenage pregnancies in Bhutan. This includes strengthening comprehensive sexuality education, expanding access to adolescent and youth-friendly services, and engaging communities to support informed decision-making among young people. Together, these efforts aim to ensure that young people—especially girls and young women—have access to accurate information, adequate support, and essential health services, enabling them to make informed choices and lead healthy, safe, and fulfilling lives.
when
country
Bhutan
region
South Asia
Related Member Association
Respect Educate Nurture Empower Women - Bhutan
Continued collaboration between communities, civil society and government institutions is critical to ensuring all women and girls in their diversity can be empowered to voice their concerns and exercise their rights to take action for their well-being across Bhutan. - Tomoko Fukuda, Regional Director (Interim), IPPF South Asia Region
RENEW has also taken steps to reach structurally excluded communities. The Rainbow Help Desk — Bhutan’s first dedicated platform providing support for LGBT+ survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, including mental health support and referrals for inclusive sexual and reproductive health services for the LGBTI+ community. The platform also extends support to female sex workers, a community that often faces stigma, criminalization and barriers to accessing SRHR services.
“International Women’s Day is an important moment to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that every woman and girl can access justice, protection and essential sexual and reproductive health information and services. Continued collaboration between communities, civil society and government institutions is critical to ensuring all women and girls in their diversity can be empowered to voice their concerns and exercise their rights to take action for their well-being across Bhutan,” notes Tomoko Fukuda, Regional Director (Interim), IPPF South Asia Region.
As a member of the International Planned Parenthood Federation, RENEW’s work reflects the Federation’s core values of dignity, equality and justice for all. Through locally led action and partnerships across sectors, RENEW continues to work towards a future where everyone, regardless of gender, age or background, can access protection, care and empowerment.
About the IPPF:
IPPF is a global healthcare provider and a leading advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all. Led by a courageous and determined group of women, IPPF was founded in 1952 at the Third International Planned Parenthood Conference. Today, we are a movement of 158 Member Associations and Collaborative Partners with a presence in over 153 countries. Our work is wide-ranging, including comprehensive sex education, provision of contraception, safe abortion, and maternal care and responding to humanitarian crises. We pride ourselves on being local through our members and global through our network. At the heart of our mission is the provision of – and advocacy in support of – integrated healthcare to anyone who needs it regardless of race, gender, sex, income, and crucially no matter how remote.
For further queries reach out to:
Purnima Singh ([email protected])
Communications, Voice & Media Advisor (Interim)
IPPF South Asia Region
