Between Worship and Exile: The Untold Reality of Nepal's Daughters

Nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, Nepal is a culturally diverse and vibrant nation. For centuries, the festivals of Nepal have celebrated goddesses such as Lakshmi, Durga, and Kali. Thousands of people take to the streets of Kathmandu to pay reverence to the Living Goddess Kumari, who is believed to be the incarnation of the Goddess Taleju Bhawani.

Women’s empowerment is spoken about loudly. Women’s Day is celebrated with posters, panels, hashtags, and campaigns. Thousands of NGOs and INGOs run programs. Government policies are written, budgets are allocated, and promises are repeated. Beauty pageants echo promises of change. Social media is flooded with HD photos and loud slogans.