Kathmandu, March 6, 2025 (Falgun 22, 2081) – A significant workshop addressing the issues of gender and sexual minority communities was successfully organized by Mitini Nepal in Kathmandu, Bagmati Province. The event brought together municipal and ward representatives under the Kathmandu Metropolitan City to discuss community challenges and foster collaboration for empowerment and inclusion.
Samjhana Bishwakarma, Bagmati Province Coordinator of Mitini Nepal, highlighted the program's objectives, emphasizing the need to strengthen ties with local authorities and tackle challenges faced by the gender and sexual minority community in accessing essential services and facilities. “This workshop serves as a platform to explore how we can empower the community by working hand-in-hand with local governments,” she stated.
The program featured personal narratives from transgender man Soham Sunar and Geeta Wali, who shared their lived experiences, shedding light on the daily struggles faced by gender and sexual minorities. Mitini Nepal’s Executive Director, Sarita K.C., led a detailed session on the legal rights of the community as enshrined in Articles 12, 18, and 42 of Nepal’s Constitution 2072. She also discussed the challenges of implementing these rights, the status of the community, and strategies for empowerment in collaboration with local municipalities.
Laxmi Ghalan, founder and president of Mitini Nepal, shared her personal journey of battling discrimination within her family, society, and the state. She underscored critical issues faced by the community, including the lack of legal recognition for marriage equality, difficulties in obtaining citizenship according to identity, and unequal property and reproductive rights. Ghalan stressed, “Without marriage equality, our relationships lack legal grounding, leaving us vulnerable to numerous challenges.”
The workshop also showcased an informational video covering topics such as the inclusion of gender and sexual minorities in Nepal’s 12th National Census, community terminologies, menstrual challenges, and IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) as a reproductive option.
Participants actively engaged in open discussions, emphasizing the necessity of organized advocacy for the community’s rights. Municipal representatives called for similar programs to be held with municipal assemblies, policymakers, and political parties to ensure inclusive policy-making.
The event saw the participation of representatives from nine municipalities, including Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Chandragiri Municipality, Kirtipur Municipality, Tarkeshwar Municipality, Budhanilkantha Municipality, Gokarneshwar Municipality, Kageshwari Manohara Municipality, Tokha Municipality, and Dakshinkali Municipality. A total of 57 individuals, including municipal executives, ward representatives, members of the gender and sexual minority community, and organizers, attended the program.
This workshop stands as a crucial step toward fostering inclusivity, raising awareness, and advocating for the legal and social rights of Nepal’s gender and sexual minority communities.
