SURKHET: Sexual and gender minorities in Karnali Province have expressed their grievances about having to live suppressed in society. They say it is difficult for them to be open due to societal perspectives.
Kalpana Kumal from West Rukum is one such individual. She realized she was a sexual and gender minority as she grew up. After this realization, she eloped and got married. “It was very difficult when I married a girl at 22. We lived together for five years but couldn’t continue due to social discrimination. Now I live alone,” Kumal said at a program organized by Sada Nepal in Surkhet on Sunday.
After separating from her partner, Kumal learned skills and became self-reliant. She shared her parents are now trying to arrange her marriage with a man. “But I can’t marry a man,” she added.
Simran Sherchan is also facing a similar ordeal. Born as a man, Simran said he has been facing different social discriminations living as a woman. “Constitutional rights are limited to paper, as we continue to face social discrimination. How long must we live suppressed in society?” she questioned.
Sherchan said issues of sexual and gender minorities remain overlooked due to a lack of quota for them in the electoral system. “Although issues of sexual and gender minorities have been included in educational curricula, implementation of laws remain weak, she said. “Gender-based violence affects not only women but also men, and sexual and gender minorities.”
Ashok Yogi, director of Sada Nepal, said that 80 sexual and gender minorities have come into contact in Karnali Province. “There is a need for families to understand and support these individuals. Since these individuals are facing difficulty in coming out, it is becoming challenging to address their problems,” he added.
Ghanashyam Bhandari, chairperson of the Social Development Committee of the Karnali Province Assembly, said everyone needs to be aware of sexual and gender minority issues.
Likewise, Karnali Province Assembly Member Bijaya Budha called on the government to draft necessary laws immediately to end the sufferings of sexual and gender minorities. “The provincial and local governments should conduct a census of sexual and gender minorities and bring necessary programs through their respective budget,” she added.
Also speaking on the occasion, SP Binod Sharma of Karnali Provincial Police Office said sexual and gender minorities are not coming out due to societal perspectives. “Those who come out face physical, mental, and economic violence,” Sharma said. “The provincial police will open special assistance desks for sexual and gender minorities at all 280 units in the province if it gets go-ahead from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.”
