Gender and Citizenship in the Constitution of Nepal, 2015

Abstract

This research project explores the consequences of the citizenship provision of Nepal, as reflected in Nepal's most recent constitution promulgated in 2015, for the Nepalese citizens as well as the Nepalese society and culture in general. This project employs two methods of data collection: close reading of the citizenship provision and ethnographic interviews of those Nepalese who are directly affected by the provision. Results are drawn through rhetorical and textual analysis of the collected data. The results show that the current citizenship provision disempowers women of Nepal by stopping them from passing on their citizenship to their children. The citizenship provision is also a source of humiliation for such women and the reason behind the condition of stateless-ness of millions of people living in Nepal. On a cultural level, this citizenship provision both reflects and re-enforces patriarchy in Nepal.