In the highlands of eastern Bhutan, where nomadic Brokpa traditions run deep and access to basic services can be challenging, schools have become more than just places of learning. For many children, they are a second home, a source of nutrition, and a haven.  In communities where families depend on herding yaks and sheep for survival, food security is never guaranteed. For many students, school lunch is their most reliable source of nutrition. That is where Bhutan’s National School Feeding Programme comes in, delivering daily meals that help children not only survive, but thrive.  At Sakteng Lower Secondary School in Trashigang, this transformation is especially evident. Through the National School Feeding Programme, education is now deeply intertwined with health and well-being. “School feeding is vital in a place like Sakteng,” says Principal Sonam Jigme. “Children here receive the right kind of food, in the right amount, and food that helps them grow, focus, and thrive.” For families in this community, where herding yaks and sheep is the primary livelihood, food security can be fragile. Many children come from homes where meals are uncertain, especially during long transhumance journeys. For them, a warm school meal is the most reliable source of nutrition, and a compelling reason to stay in school. The impact of school feeding goes beyond nutrition. The programme is a powerful incentive for school attendance, especially for girls. With boarding facilities added to the school, girls who once stayed home to help with chores or were kept back due to safety concerns now have a secure environment to study and grow. “These meals are the reason many parents feel comfortable sending their children to school,” explains Principal Sonam Jigme. “It is not just food, it is trust, it is opportunity, and it is a lifeline.” For Sangay Dema, a student of Sakteng Lower Secondary School, the introduction of boarding facilities has brought a major shift, particularly for children from nomadic families who once stayed alone while their parents moved with the herds.  “Before the hostel was built, I had to stay alone when my parents went with the herd,” said Sangay Dema. “Now, I stay in the hostel with my friends. We feel safe, we eat well, and we can focus on our studies.” The Principal of Sakteng Lower Secondary School, Sonam Jigme said School Feeding is important for a place like Sakteng where children are fed the right food with nutritious amounts and the right quantity.  Meals are now fortified with essential vitamins and minerals, and menus are carefully reviewed and approved by the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) with input from professional nutritionists. The impact has been clear, students’ health and ability to concentrate have significantly improved.  Sonam Tenzin B, the school captain, shares how much the meals have changed school life.  “My favorite dish is rice with lentils and boiled eggs,” he says with a smile. “When we eat well, we can think better. I have become more active in class and even have more strength to play basketball after school.” The power of Bhutan’s National School Feeding and Nutrition Programme extends far beyond the classroom walls. In remote villages like Sakteng, it is not just the students who benefit, in fact, the entire communities are feeling the positive ripple effects. For Tashi Yangzom, a mother of two, the school meals bring much-needed relief. This sense of security has reshaped how parents view schooling. It is no longer just an educational space but a crucial source of care and stability. As a result, more families are keeping their children in school, particularly girls, who now attend more consistently due to the safer, more supportive environment. For local farmers, the programme has opened new avenues for livelihood. Through local procurement initiatives encouraged by the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, schools source ingredients like vegetables, dairy, and eggs directly from farmers in the area, which helps to strengthen the local economy and build stronger links between the school and the community. A 2023 study comparing Body Mass Index (BMI) conducted by the Ministry between day and boarding school students validated these observations. The findings became the foundation for the launch of Menu+, an initiative that ensures higher standards in food quality and variety.  “We formed a School Feeding Team to oversee food preparation, maintain standards, and ensure compliance with ministry guidelines,” Principal Sonam explains. “Our kitchen staff are trained to cook safely and hygienically.” With improved nutrition, Sakteng School has seen a measurable impact. Its School Performance Management System (SPMS) score rose from 92 to 94 in just one year. The boarding model also allows for structured extracurricular activities from aerobic dance to academic clubs, building well-rounded students who are more confident and engaged.  The school also modernized the school kitchen, transforming it from a traditional, smoky structure into a bright, ventilated space with proper storage and safer working conditions. In essence, the National School Feeding Programme in Sakteng has become a cornerstone for community well-being, enhancing education, improving health, supporting livelihoods, and weaving tighter bonds between school and society. For many children in Bhutan’s highlands, school is more than a classroom—it is where their futures begin, one hot meal at a time. As Principal Sonam Jigme puts it: "It is not just food. It is trust. It is an opportunity. It is a lifeline.” In Sakteng, nourishing a child means nourishing a community and shaping a healthier, more hopeful Bhutan. 

The session brought together newly appointed UN staff, security personnel, hotel Long-Term Agreement (LTA) holders, and vehicle rental service providers to strengthen understanding of inclusive practices.Mr. Phuntsho Wangyel, UNFPA Bhutan Head of Office and Chair of the UN Bhutan Interagency Human Rights, Gender and Disability Inclusion Working Group, opened the meeting. He stated:“Disability equality is about listening, understanding their needs, aspirations, challenges, and creating inclusive environments and empowering them. Respect in words and actions matters, and understanding gender roles and intersectionality helps ensure equitable opportunities for all. Upholding these standards also means maintaining safe spaces. The UN’s zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse applies to everyone, making dignity a shared responsibility.”Disability Equality: Understanding Barriers, Building RespectFacilitators - including UN staff with disabilities and representatives from the Disabled People’s Organisation of Bhutan (DPOB) - guided participants through practical demonstrations on disability etiquette. For example, when supporting a person with blindness, participants were reminded to introduce themselves first, speak directly, offer their arm for guidance, and describe the environment clearly.The session also introduced the basics of Bhutanese Sign Language (BHSL) and highlighted communication challenges faced by the deaf community. Discussions on physical disability emphasised how exclusion often stems from societal and environmental barriers rather than impairment itself. Gender Equality and Intersectionality: Breaking Down StereotypesFacilitators unpacked key concepts on gender roles, stereotypes, and socialisation. Participants examined different models of equality — from formal equality, which treats everyone the same without accounting for differing needs, to protectionist approaches, which can unintentionally restrict opportunities.The training highlighted the value of a corrective approach that focuses on fixing barriers in the environment rather than expecting individuals to adapt. For example, instead of limiting opportunities for women, persons with disabilities, or other marginalised groups, the corrective approach ensures that workplaces, policies, and services are enabling and inclusive, achieving equality through equitable processes.Intersectionality was a core theme, showing how overlapping dimensions such as disability, gender, poverty, and geography can increase vulnerability. For instance, women with disabilities are more likely to face violence, while those from poor or rural backgrounds face additional challenges in accessing services.Addressing PSEA in All ContextsThe training also included a session on protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), reminding participants of their shared responsibility to uphold the highest standards of conduct in all workplace and service delivery contexts. It was emphasised that the UN has a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse.  The UN in Bhutan only partners with LTA holders and service providers who commit to these standards in their agreements and daily practice.Building an Inclusive UN SystemBy the end of the day, participants gained greater awareness of disability as a human rights and equality issue, strengthened their understanding of gender and intersectionality, and committed to fostering safe and inclusive environments.Mr. Kinley Phyntso, UN UNV-LNOB Specialist, and one of the moderators of the training stated:“Inclusion, equality, and safety are fundamental rights - at work, at home, and in society. They are not privileges or charity, and they must be respected and upheld for and by everyone, regardless of gender or ability. We encourage each of you to consider how you can personally contribute to making this a reality.”This training contributes to advancing the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS) and the UN System-wide Action Plan on Gender Equality (UN-SWAP) in Bhutan, reinforcing the UN’s commitment to uphold equality, dignity, and inclusion in all aspects of its work.

The message was clear. Young people are not just leaders in waiting, but changemakers shaping the country’s present and future. Under the global theme “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond,” the day brought together students, youth leaders, representatives from the Royal Government and UN agencies to celebrate how young Bhutanese are driving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the local level. True to its theme, the programme was co-designed and led by youth, who moderated panels, presented innovations, and steered discussions on issues that matter most to their communities.  Opening the event, UN Resident Coordinator a.i. Dr. Bhupinder Kaur Aulakh reminded participants that achieving the SDGs requires more than policy, it needs action led by young people in their own communities.  She called for greater investment in youth-led solutions, inclusive spaces, and opportunities for young people to shape local planning, climate resilience, and a sustainable economy.  She stated:  “You are not just the leaders of tomorrow. You are the changemakers of today.” One highlight was a presentation by Ugyen Dendup, Co-founder and CEO of NoMind, the country’s first AI startup.   From building a COVID-19 social distancing robot to developing  AI solutions for major Bhutanese clients, Ugyen’s journey illustrates how mastery of technology by youth can advance local development, create jobs, and help achieve the SDGs.  Two youth-led panels explored pressing priorities.  The first, titled We Are Not Just the Future; We Are the Now, moderated by Pema Wangchuk of the UN Bhutan Adolescent and Youth Advisory Board, spotlighted grassroot szinitiatives for SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Speakers shared projects ranging from agricultural empowerment and climate justice to mobilizing students nationwide through the G17 University Ambassadors Consortium.  The second panel, Voices We Don’t Hear Enough, moderated by youth activist Rinchen Choden, focused on SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Panelists discussed disability inclusion, LGBTQI+ rights, accessibility, and the importance of safe spaces for mental health and identity expression.  Denzin Wangyal Rinchen, a youth advocate, highlighted the central role of youth in designing and leading the event, and reaffirmed the collective commitment to empowering young people as drivers of sustainable change and local development. Closing the day, UNICEF Representative Rushnan Murtaza, praised the courage and curiosity of Bhutan’s youth.  She stated: “Continue with the great work. Question the adults. Challenge us. The SDGs are as important to you as they are to us, and we look forward to working together to create more platforms for youth voices to be heard.” The event was organized by the UN in Bhutan, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Skills Development and the Royal Thimphu College.  

Persons with disabilities, senior citizens, women, youth and the LGBT+ community face barriers to effective participation in economic, social and political spheres.  This includes discrimination, stigma, ableism, and unconscious bias. At the Annual Consultation on the Common Country Analysis (CCA) and Leaving No One Behind (LNOB) held on July 30, representatives from the Royal Government of Bhutan, civil society organizations, members of marginalized communities, and the United Nations reflected on progress and identified practical ways to ensure that Bhutan’s development leaves no one behind.At the core of the consultation was the recognition that persons with disabilities, women, youth, senior citizens, and LGBT+ individuals continue to face layered barriers to participation in Bhutan’s social, political, and economic life. These challenges range from stigma, ableism, and structural discrimination, to lack of services and opportunities in rural and remote areas. Kinley Phyntso, UNV- LNOB Specialist from the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office said:“Persons with disabilities, LGBT+ individuals, youth, and women still face many barriers to participation... The UN and the Royal Government are here to change that- through policies, through partnerships, and most importantly, through listening.”In recent years, Bhutan has made notable achievements; Bhutan adopted a comprehensive National Policy for Persons with Disabilities in 2019, ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2023, and most recently launched an UN-led surge initiative in 2024 to accelerate disability inclusion. Progress has also been seen in gender and LGBT+ rights, including the 2025 National Action Plan to Promote Gender Equality in Public Administration (NAP GEPA) and the gradual strengthening of protections for LGBT+ communities following the 2021 decriminalization of same-sex relationships.A presentation by the United Nations on the 2025 Common Country Analysis (CCA) highlighted the demographic landscape marked by a declining birth rate, increasing youth migration, and growing aging population, and called for urgent policy responses to address these interlinked trends. Lekema Dorji, the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist with UNICEF Bhutan who presented on behalf of the UN CCA Task Force said:“We’re seeing youth outmigration, a declining fertility rate, and persistent inequality. Our analysis must be grounded in the lived realities of those most often left behind.”Meanwhile, Palden Wangchuk Dorji of Y-PEER shared how young people in eastern Bhutan feel abandoned by development, with most services clustered in the western region. This disconnect, he explained, is pushing even civil servants to seek better futures abroad. “Youth aren’t just leaving because they want to,” he said. “They’re leaving because they don’t see a future here.” Although Bhutan’s fertility rate has seen a steep decline since the 1980s, participants highlighted that financial incentives alone are unlikely to reverse the trend. Pema Dorji from Queer Voices of Bhutan (QVoB) pointed out that in the absence of childcare support, parental leave, and inclusive infrastructure, starting a family remains an unrealistic expectation for many. This sentiment was shared by Chimi Om of the Phensem Parents’ Support Group, who stressed the urgent need for practical services to support working mothers. Dr. Menakshi Rai of RENEW added that evolving social values, including the growing emphasis on education and quality of life, must be reflected in national policies.The second session featured Agenda Chikha, Bhutan’s cross-sectoral initiative for disability inclusion, built around four pillars: Empowering Lives, Changing Mindsets, Lifting Our Game, and Building Knowledge. Participants provided feedback on the initiative’s progress and pushed for more ambitious programming. The issue of accessibility for persons with disabilities was raised throughout. Sonam Pelden, Health Officer with Bhutan Red Cross Society questioned:“Are our offices even wheelchair accessible? If not, where do we begin?”The Red Cross, which operates a nationwide network of over 8,000 volunteers, was praised for its “Red Cross Ride for Health” initiative that provides free transport and essentials for persons with disabilities.The third session of the consultation focused on critical gaps in access to healthcare, psychosocial support, and legal aid for marginalized groups. Bhutan has made notable progress in improving social indicators, but persistent challenges remain, especially for those at the intersection of multiple forms of discrimination. According to the 2017 Population and Housing Census of Bhutan, around 2.1 percent of the population lives with some form of disability, and while exact numbers for LGBT+ individuals are not available, organizations like Queer Voices of Bhutan (QVoB) report increasing visibility and demand for rights recognition. Yet, these communities continue to experience layered exclusions based on disability, gender identity, poverty, and rural residency.Nalini Andrade, Director for International Development at Humber Polytechnic, raised concern over the overuse of the term "intersectionality" in policy discourse, warning that it often results in diverse groups being lumped into a single category under one limited budget line. This broad-brush approach, she cautioned, undermines the specific and differing needs of each group.Kinley Phyntso from the UNRCO posed a fundamental question: is Bhutan’s legal and policy system truly inclusive of persons with disabilities and those with diverse SOGIESC (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics) identities? Despite legal reforms, many structural barriers persist. For instance, Principal Dechen highlighted how the lack of sign language interpretation and accessible public information continues to marginalize the deaf community. Similarly, Pema Dorji of QVoB highlighted how queer individuals, especially those living with disabilities and in rural areas, are frequently overlooked in national inclusion efforts. He stressed the importance of recognizing the compounded nature of exclusion- where being queer, disabled, poor, and rural often means being invisible in both data and decision-making processes. Without targeted policies and disaggregated budget allocations, Bhutan’s broader inclusion agenda risks leaving these communities behind.Emergency preparedness emerged as a critical area where inclusion is often overlooked. In Bhutan, despite ongoing efforts to build resilience against natural disasters and emergencies, the specific needs of persons with disabilities remain inadequately addressed. The country is highly vulnerable to natural hazards such as earthquakes, floods, and landslides, and the need for inclusive disaster response systems is becoming increasingly urgent.Currently, Bhutan lacks visual alert systems tailored for the deaf community, and accessible communication tools during emergencies are largely absent. This creates significant barriers for persons with hearing impairments to receive timely and life-saving information. Meanwhile, the Bhutan Red Cross Society, with its wide network of trained volunteers, continues to respond actively in both emergency and non-emergency situations. Sonam Pelden highlighted the organization’s readiness to support vulnerable populations, including persons with disabilities and the elderly.Dr. Menakshi Rai from RENEW added that by the end of this year, community service centers will be operational in all 20 dzongkhags. She said:“These centers aim to strengthen local-level support for women and children facing violence and other vulnerabilities, contributing to a more inclusive and responsive social protection system.”The end of the consultation brought the focus back to a critical question: What more can the United Nations do to ensure that no one is left behind? For many participants, the answer lies in building deeper, more equitable partnerships, especially with grassroots and community-led organizations that are often sidelined in national policy conversations. Voices from the session emphasized the need to support queer-led groups on par with disability-focused organizations, and to create practical systems that enable inclusion across all dzongkhags. The consultation ended with a powerful reminder that meaningful inclusion is not just a box to tick, but a commitment that must be embedded in the way the UN, government, and partners work, and highlighted the importance of presence, not just at consultations, but in the lived realities of those most often excluded.Looking ahead, participants identified several priority actions: strengthening coordination between UN agencies, civil society, and government on LNOB inclusion; ensuring services across all sectors are inclusive of persons with disabilities and individuals with diverse SOGIESC identities, providing sustained support to queer-led organizations, and guaranteeing that all UN-led consultations and programming are safe, accessible, and inclusive.