Kathmandu, Aug18: Nepal’s parliamentarians have drawn attention of the government to protect the existence of sexual and gender minorities (SGMs). During a House of Representative session, they discussed the recent mandamus of the Supreme Court that allows a person to obtain government documents, including citizenship, based on their self-declared gender identity regardless of their sex at birth.
This recent order contradicts an earlier directive allowing individuals to identify as “other”. The court ruled on the writ petition filed by Ruksana Kapali, who was born as male but identifies as female, demanding the update of all her government documents to reflect her female identity.
The parliamentarians have also called for the participation of SGM individuals in the policy-making of the state.
Parliamentarian of Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal (JSP-N) Rekha Yadav drew the attention of the government to ensure the rights of SGM members to participate in state bodies by granting them citizenship based on their identity.
She also accused the state of neglecting the SGM community. “Instead of obeying the order, we feel that the state is resorting to attempts to destroy their existence,” she said, “Neither SGM community are employed in public service nor are they hired by any security agencies.”
She also proposed identifying male or female within the “other” category if they choose to do so.
Mentioning that Article 42 of the Constitution has guaranteed the rights of the SGM community to participate in every state body, she said, “The state should give them rights and respect.”
Similarly, during the meeting, two other JSP-N parliamentarians–Ranju Kumari Jha and Sushila Shrestha–also drew the attention of the government about the SGM rights, calling for an end to gender reassignment and hormone therapy due to potential health risks.
Parliamentarian Yadav suggested mainstreaming SMG community for their empowerment. “Public awareness programmes should be launched at all three levels, local, provincial and federal to end challenges faced by the SGM community.”
