The issue of citizenship remains a pressing concern in Nepal

At an interaction programme organised by the Human Rights and Peace Society here on Friday, the eve of the International Women’s Day, speakers stressed the urgent need to amend existing regulations that make it difficult for children of Nepali women married to foreign men to obtain citizenship, in contrast to the relatively straightforward process for children of Nepali men married to foreign women.

Under current laws, children of Nepali men married to foreign women are eligible for citizenship by birth, whereas children of Nepali women married to foreign men face significant hurdles in acquiring naturalised citizenship.

Nepali parliamentarians are currently discussing a bill aimed at addressing these complexities to ensure no Nepali is deprived of their citizenship rights.

Women’s rights are enshrined in Nepal’s Constitution as a fundamental right. At present, women constitute 34 per cent of representatives in parliament, 36.5 per cent in the provincial assembly, and 41.1 per cent at the local level, as mandated by the Constitution. Additionally, women account for approximately 28 per cent of civil service employees, according to government data.