Nepal made history as the first South Asian country to register same sex marriage. Ruksana Kapali, a trans Nepali woman was felicitated among the BBC 100 influential women. Nepal decided to ban TikTok in order to safeguard social harmony and prevent violence. A ward chairperson in Kaski was found guilty of caste-based discrimination and was sentenced to jail. A 16-day campaign was launched to raise awareness against gender-based violence.
 

Timeline of major events

 

Date	Events
November 13, 2023	Nepal bans TikTok in order to secure social harmony
November 21, 2023	A trans activist, Ruksana kapali was listed among the BBC 100 influential women
November 25, 2023	A 16 day campaign kicked off in order to fight against gender based violences against women and girls
November 29, 2023	Nepal registers marriage of Surendra Pandey and Ram Bahadur Gurung as the first same sex marriage in south Asia.

 

Nepal Registers Same-Sex Marriage

On June 28, 2023, the Supreme Court of Nepal legalized same-sex marriage. Nepal has now officially registered its first same-sex marriage, thanks to the union of Surendra Pandey and Ram Bahadur Gurung on November 29, 2023. As per reports, Nepal is the first South Asian country to do so. This  historic move represents  Nepal’s  solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community around the world. In doing so, Nepal has established itself as an ally of the community, advocating for gender-based rights and promoting a safer environment.
 

A Benchmark for Gender Inclusion and Equality

November marks the recognition of Ruksana Kapali, a trans woman belonging to the Newar indigenous community of Nepal among the BBC 100 Women 2023 for her remarkable attempts at advocating for queer rights and addressing issues related to gender and sexuality through social media platforms. Kapali has played an influential role in creating awareness related to sexuality and in promoting rights for women like herself. This recognition has given a sense of representation to the entire Nepali queer community on a global scale.

Nepal Bans Tik Tok owing up to the disruptions in social harmony

A cabinet meeting on November 13, 2023 decided to ban Tiktok. Prime Minister Prachanda claimed that the decision was made in order to prevent chaos, inconsistencies and distortions in the society. PM Prachanda further stressed on how the influence of the most developed nations and their democratic values evoked the ultimate decision. As soon as the event of the complete ban on tiktok was announced, it was followed by mixed reactions of the public as well as political leaders alike. Nepal is now the third South Asian country to take down the app after India and Afghanistan.
It is a matter of national responsibility to safeguard social harmony when it feels endangered and Nepal’s coercive decision for the same is commendable. However, we cannot remiss the fact that it has been serving as a way of income for all genders, backgrounds and groups. It has been a platform for marketing and the growth of local businesses that were battered due to the Covid pandemic. However, strict monitoring and mobilisation should be adopted to safeguard the social harmony and peace in the society.

Campaigns against Gender-Based Violence

A 16-day campaign against gender-based violence was launched from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. According to the data provided by Nepal Police, some 80 percent of the violence against women takes the form of domestic violence. This alarming number has prompted notable organisations such as the US Embassy and UNFPA to launch campaigns.
According to the 2016 NDHS report, 22% of women between the ages of 15 and 49 have experienced physical abuse, and 7% have experienced sexual abuse. Approximately 66% of women who have experienced physical or sexual abuse have not sought assistance or spoken to anyone about how to stop the violence they face.
Thus, a clear call for such campaigns is warranted due to such alarming numbers. Campaigns like such are a great way to raise awareness of gender violence and to support survivors. These campaigns can help to break down the stigma associated with sexual and gender based violence, and they can provide information and resources to survivors.
 

In Pursuit of Justice

The elimination of deeply rooted injustice done to women such as gender based violences and discrimination not only is accountable to the law, but also exists due to the structure of the Nepali society. Neha Chaudhary is one such victim of the dowry practice of our society who has persistently been struggling for justice. Our orthodox values and norms have been aligned with patriarchy which ultimately leads to the promotion of injustice towards women. Hence, while the fight to eradicate gender based atrocities have been steady, it is also crucial to realize the fact that most of the problems are evoked by the societal values we follow.
167 cases of domestic violence have been registered in Chitwan since the past four months as a result of deprivation of food, beating and the use of abusive language. This shows the urgency of how gender related violence has to be addressed in an effective manner backed by stricter laws and reforms.