Nepal has created its first government ministry for sexual and gender minorities.
Prime Minister Balendra Shah announced the new Ministry of Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities and Social Security during a government restructure this month.
The ministry will deliver programmes for women, children, LGBTQIA+ people and disadvantaged communities.
The move gives sexual and gender minorities formal representation in Nepal’s government structure for the first time.
Nepal has expanded LGBTQIA+ rights in recent years. The country legally recognises a third gender on official documents and has introduced stronger protections for LGBTQIA+ communities.
Earlier this year, activist Bhumika Shrestha became Nepal’s first transgender woman appointed to parliament.
Advocates say the new ministry marks another major step for LGBTQIA+ inclusion and political representation in Nepal.
Rob is the founder of GTG. Launching the GTG-Sydney brand in 1995, it has gone from a VHS tourist guide for Sydney to a global phenomenon, partnering with Pride events and special events and charities all over the world, raising millions of dollars for the LGBTQIA+ communities and showcasing our big gay world to anyone who wants to join in the fun.
Rob is a trained marketer and journalist. An Emmy award winner, a NIDA-trained TV Presenter who has been on digital channels, cable and terrestrial broadcast television globally as a presenter, producer and creative.
He is currently editor-in-chief and producer of GTG and the co-host of The Unfashionably Late Podcast.