Pabitra Guragain
Kathmandu, March 23: Academia, activists, and students convened today to discuss “Challenges of the Feminist Movement in Nepal: Contemporary Debate and Future Trajectories.”
Participants shared their insights on women’s rights, gender-based perspectives, and the importance of male alliance in the feminist movement, among others.
During her presentation, Dr. Mira Mishra, one of the founding figures of Gender Studies in Nepal, urged society to embrace and internalize feminism as a tool to recognize all individuals as complete human beings, irrespective of sex, sexuality, or gender.
Reflecting on her extensive academic journey, Dr. Mishra emphasized that feminism should not be feared or misunderstood as a movement that seeks to take away rights from any particular class, gender, or community. “Men’s engagement in feminism is crucial. Excluding them will hinder efforts to dismantle systemic inequalities,” she stated.
She identified violence against women (VAW) as a persistent challenge in creating a just society and expressed concern over “regressive statements” made by individuals—including some who identify as rights activists—regarding cases of sexual violence against women and girls.
Dr. Mishra argued that the culture of victim-blaming, whether through direct remarks or indirect actions, remains a major obstacle to the feminist movement in Nepal. “This mindset is completely unacceptable in feminism,” she asserted.
Professor Dr. Bindu Pokharel, a leading Gender Studies scholar, emphasized that feminism intersects with other social theories and doctrines. She stressed the need to expand feminist discourse to address issues such as the challenges faced by migrant workers and their families, the gendered impacts of climate change, and emerging cybersecurity threats.
“We must dismantle the traditional, narrow definitions of women and gender roles to build an inclusive society where everyone, regardless of gender or background, can lead a meaningful life,” Dr. Pokharel said.
She advocated for context-specific strategies and action plans to advance feminism, emphasizing that “lived experiences matter, and our efforts should be grounded in this approach.” She also called for broader collaboration across sectors to amplify voices advocating for equal power relations.
Sanjog Thakuri, President of Hami DajuVai (Nepali Brothers), echoed the importance of engaging men in gender equality efforts, describing it as an evolving concept.
“Men’s involvement in feminism has existed in bits and pieces, but it is not about taking women’s spaces; rather, it is about making men’s spaces feminist as well,” Thakuri explained. He emphasized the need for clearer discourse on feminism to challenge harmful norms.
“For instance, promoting menstrual discrimination under the guise of ‘bodily autonomy’ contradicts the core principles of feminist thought,” he remarked, calling for deeper discussions on men’s roles and responsibilities in advancing feminism.
The event also highlighted the importance of rights-based organizations and academic institutions, such as the TU Central Department of Gender Studies, in combating narratives that undermine feminist principles. Participants stressed the need to focus on the lived experiences of diverse communities to make the movement more inclusive and impactful.
Department Head Jamuna Siwakoti Upreti stated that the program, organized in commemoration of International Women’s Day (March 8), aimed to identify challenges in Nepal’s feminist movement and explore strategies for strengthening it through academic dialogue.
The event was organized by the TU Central Department of Gender Studies with support from Story Kitchen Nepal. #VAW #rss #nepal #feminist
