9 March 2020, Kathmandu
An interaction program held with stakeholders marking 110th International Women’s Day on LBTQI issues in Kathmandu on Sunday.
The program which was organized by Mitini Nepal and supported by FJS (Foundation for just society) kicks off with the welcome remarks by the executive director of Mitini Nepal, Sarita K.C.
The interaction program was conducted mainly dividing into two categories. In an open floor discussion, participants relating to the LBTQI community and others representing different organizations kept their views regarding LBTQI women issues.
They urged on the issues relating to citizenship with identification, legalization on same sex marriage, right to equality in education and employment, right to live dignified life among other issues.
Sadikshya Bhattarai from Mitini Nepal presented situational analysis of LBTQI+ in the interaction program. Similarly, Susan Danuwar, Rubin Tamang, Neelam Karki, Soni Rai, Biswal Neupane Punam Gurung, Jaya Tamang have shared their struggling story and experience demanding a call for non-discriminatory laws and their implementation in practice so far.
In the next session, guest convened from different organizations including stakeholders expressed their views on the presented issues. In the program, media person Aarati Chatuat, CSW Nepal, President Tulasa Lata Amatya, parliamentarian Yutol Tamang, Sarala Yadav, Khagendra Prasad Puri, Madhu Sunar from national human right commission, Hira Joshi from Kalimati women cell and Hira Gurung strongly asserted on LBTQI women issues and expressed their commitment to work with them. They further shared that there is a long way to go which is difficult but not impossible and thus the homosexual community must keep their vigilant effort.
