Nepal has marked a historic milestone with the election of Bhumika Shrestha as the country’s first transgender woman member of parliament, signalling a major step forward for the Himalayan nation’s marginalised LGBTQ+ community. On Monday, Shrestha was ceremonially welcomed with a traditional floral garland, an emblem of celebration and recognition for her trailblazing achievement.
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Election and Party Context
The Election Commission of Nepal confirmed that 37-year-old Shrestha secured her parliamentary seat under the proportional representation system, representing the centrist Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). Last week, the RSP achieved a parliamentary majority, winning 182 of the 275 seats, solidifying its dominant position in the newly elected legislature.
Shrestha, a prominent LGBTQ+ rights activist, told AFP, “I am extremely excited, yet I feel a huge responsibility on my shoulders. Our constitution includes provisions for our community, but these have not yet been fully reflected in laws and policies. I hope to raise our issues in parliament.”
She will serve in Nepal’s 275-member House of Representatives, the first parliament elected since last September’s anti-corruption protests that led to the fall of the previous government.
Electoral Outcomes
The RSP, led by rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah, secured 125 of its 165 directly elected seats and gained an additional 57 seats via proportional representation, giving the party a near two-thirds majority, just two seats short of a supermajority.
| Political Party | Directly Elected Seats | Proportional Representation Seats | Total Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) | 125 | 57 | 182 |
| Other Parties | 83 | 10 | 93 |
| Total | 208 | 67 | 275 |
Significance for LGBTQ+ Rights
Shrestha’s election has been hailed as a landmark achievement by LGBTQ+ advocacy groups. Umisha Pande, president of the Blue Diamond Society (BDS), described it as “historic”, emphasising that the community itself is best placed to articulate its needs and experiences.
Nepal has long been a leader in South Asia on LGBTQ+ rights, achieving several notable milestones:
2007: Ban on discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation.
2013: Introduction of a “third gender” category in citizenship documentation.
2015: Inclusion of “other” category in passports.
2023: Supreme Court interim order permitting marriage registration for same-sex and transgender couples.
However, no transgender or openly LGBTQ+ individuals have held parliamentary office since 2008, making Shrestha’s election unprecedented. According to BDS, over 900,000 Nepalis identify as sexual minorities, highlighting the importance of inclusive representation in governance.
Looking Forward
Shrestha’s presence in parliament is expected to amplify the voices of marginalised communities, advance legal protections, and promote social acceptance. Analysts suggest her election could pave the way for further legislative reforms and greater awareness of LGBTQ+ issues across Nepal.
Her appointment is not only a personal triumph but also a symbol of progress, reflecting Nepal’s commitment to diversity, equality, and the inclusion of historically underrepresented groups in national policymaking.