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Breaking Barrier- Enhancing LGBTIQ+community representation and leadership in Nepali Politics

Breaking Barrier project aims to contribute to advancing the rights of LGBTIQ+ communities and fostering transformation based on equity, inclusivity and social justice in political affairs of Nepal. It focuses on empowering LGBTIQ+ communities to enable them to participate in political and social space through the leadership building and evidence-based advocacy actions and collective voices. The project follows transformative approaches by ensuring just, inclusive, and gender-responsive governance actions. It focuses on systemic change - not token representation. 
 

1. Context

Nepal is often recognized as a regional leader in advancing LGBTIQ+ rights, with progressive constitutional provisions and legal frameworks that promote equality and inclusion. It ranks among the top countries in Asia on equality indices and has formally acknowledged gender and sexual minorities in key legal instruments. Despite these achievements, a significant gap persists between legal recognition and existing realities. Social norms remain deeply conservative, and structural barriers continue to limit the meaningful inclusion of LGBTIQ+ individuals in political and civic affairs. Across regions, particularly outside Madhesh and other more visible advocacy hubs, LGBTIQ+ issues remain marginalized and under-prioritized.

Project participants pose for a photo

European Union, 2026

2. Real Problem

Legal progress has not translated into equitable participation. LGBTIQ+ individuals in Nepal face systemic political exclusion driven by discriminatory electoral practices, patriarchal norms, and binary gender frameworks. Barriers such as high candidacy costs, electoral system, lack of recognition of gender identity in electoral systems, and absence of quotas restrict their entry into politics. Political parties often overlook LGBTIQ+ communities as legitimate political actors, excluding their issues from agendas and manifestos.

 

At the same time, many LGBTIQ+ individuals and CSOs lack political literacy, leadership skills, and resources needed to engage effectively with political systems. This exclusion results in low representation in decision-making spaces, reinforcing policy gaps and perpetuating marginalization. These challenges are compounded by stigma, economic disadvantages, and geographical disparities, creating a cycle of invisibility and underrepresentation.

 

3. Expectations / Promise (What if?)

What if LGBTIQ+ individuals in Nepal had the knowledge, confidence, and support to actively engage in politics-not just as voters, but as leaders and decision-makers?
What if political systems recognized and valued their participation, ensuring policies and governance structures reflected diverse identities and lived experiences?

This would lead to a more inclusive democracy where representation goes beyond symbolism and translates into tangible policy change. It would mean stronger, more resilient governance systems that uphold equality, reduce discrimination, and ensure no community is left behind. Ultimately, it would reshape Nepal’s political landscape into one that truly reflects its constitutional commitments to justice and inclusion.

 

4. Solution

The Breaking Barriers initiative, led by ActionAid Nepal in consortium with Mayako Pahichan, Inclusive Forum Nepal, and Lead Nepal, responds directly to these challenges. Over 42 months, the project will strengthen the leadership capacity of LGBTIQ+ individuals and civil society organisations, enabling them to effectively participate in political processes.

Through targeted capacity-building, advocacy, and multi-stakeholder engagement, the initiative will:

  • Equip LGBTIQ+ individuals with political literacy, leadership, and advocacy skills 
  • Support CSOs to influence policies and hold institutions accountable 
  • Engage political parties and institutions to adopt more inclusive practices 
  • Promote legal and policy reforms that address structural barriers, including electoral inclusion 

Grounded in extensive consul and aligned with national and global frameworks, the project aims to create an enabling environment where LGBTIQ+ individuals can vote, run for office, and shape public policy and ensure the transformative change in Nepali politics for inclusive governance, policies and practice.