Family rejection, social criticism, poverty— this lesbian couple has survived them all

Pabitra Badi Nepali, 51, and Bimala BK, 50, from Tulsipur, Dang, have been together for 27 years.

Pabitra Badi Nepali, a 51-year-old cis-gendered woman from Haattikhawa Nayabasti, Tulsipur, Dang, runs a small business selling madal (a traditional Nepali drum). She lives with her partner for 27 years, 50-year-old Bimala BK, also a cis-woman. Their life together has been challenging in a society where heterosexual relationships are the norm.