Date: 2082/02/30 (June 13, 2025)
Location: Chitwan District
Organized by: Maya Ko Sansar (World of Love)
Program Theme: “Legal Awareness and Community Empowerment for Justice, Equality, and Fundamental Rights of the Trans Community”
Maya Ko Sansar (World of Love) successfully conducted its first-ever program outside the Kathmandu Valley, in Chitwan district, marking a significant step forward in its grassroots outreach. Despite various challenges, the program was highly impactful and meaningful for both the organizers and the local transgender community.
Key Participants:
Assistant Chief District Officer (CDO): Mr. Chiranjivi
Social Development Division Representative: Ms. Panchamaya Tamang and her team
Nepal Police: Senior Deputy Inspector of Police (SI)
Legal Expert: Advocate Sujan Pant
Session Highlights:
The program focused on raising awareness about laws, policies, and gaps affecting transgender sex workers in Nepal. Advocate Sujan Pant delivered an insightful session on the current legal landscape, structural inequalities, and necessary reforms to ensure justice for marginalized communities.
A significant highlight of the event was the announcement that Bharatpur Metropolitan City has allocated a specific budget for the transgender community. This encouraging step brought renewed hope and energy to the participants. The organizers emphasized that if other municipalities follow this example, it would create pressure on the provincial and federal governments to act more responsibly and inclusively.
Testimony of Sunita Lama:
Sunita Lama, the President of Maya Ko Sansar, shared her deeply personal and painful experience from January 2025 in Chitwan. While in the district for a movie shoot, she was brutally beaten by police at 11:00 PM, resulting in a torn ligament in her left leg. She was bedridden for eight months due to this violent incident.
This shocking event was shared directly in front of the Assistant CDO and other dignitaries. Sunita posed a powerful question:
“If a vocal leader like me—who knows how to advocate for herself and her community—is beaten so brutally, what about those in our community who don’t know how to raise their voices? How will they survive this kind of violence?”
Her words created a deep silence in the room, forcing everyone to confront the reality of unchecked abuse and state negligence.
Program Impact:
Highlighted the urgent need for legal reform and protection mechanisms for the transgender sex worker community.
Brought first-hand evidence of violence to the attention of local authorities.
Set a precedent for decentralized community engagement, especially in areas outside Kathmandu.
Strengthened trust between community members and government representatives by fostering dialogue.
This program has opened a new pathway for advocacy, recognition, and protection of transgender sex workers in areas beyond the capital. Maya Ko Sansar remains committed to continuing such initiatives to ensure justice, dignity, and safety for all members of the LGBTIQA+ community across Nepal.