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Discrimination against women involves the unjust treatment, exclusion, or disadvantages women and girls face due to their gender. This can manifest in various areas, including employment, education, social and economic opportunities, and daily interactions. On the 1st of Falgun each year, prominent NGOs, INGOs, and leaders gather to discuss women's discrimination in Nepal. While these leaders often highlight progress, such as the rise of women like Bidya Devi Bhandari, Nepal’s second President, and Sushila Karki, the first female Supreme Court Chief Justice, significant challenges remain, especially for women in rural areas. Despite the visibility of women in ministerial positions, often from affluent and educated backgrounds, many women in Nepal still face severe discrimination.

Women in Nepal’s villages encounter significant barriers in education, healthcare, job payments, and exposure to sexual violence in places like schools, hospitals, and public transportation. Many rural women remain unpaid family workers, excluded from important family decisions.

Discrimination from birth

Gender-based discrimination starts at birth, particularly in Nepal's Madhes region. While a family may express joy at the birth of a first daughter, the arrival of a second or third girl often triggers disappointment and discrimination. Families may react negatively upon learning that a woman is expecting another girl, sometimes resorting to harmful practices like gender-based prenatal sex determination. This has led to higher rates of prenatal deaths for female fetuses, resulting in a gender imbalance. Currently, there are 1,290,525 male children and 1,148,758 female children aged 0–4 in Nepal, with the female population lagging by 141,767.

Educational disparities

Despite education being a fundamental right, girls in Nepal frequently face discrimination. Boys often receive better educational opportunities, such as attending private schools, while girls are sent to government schools. In middle-class families, boys might pursue higher education away from their villages, while girls remain confined to local options. In the Madhes region, many girls are married off after completing secondary education. In impoverished families, educational opportunities for girls are often non-existent. According to the Government of Nepal, the national literacy rate is 76.2 percent, with males at 83.6 percent and females at 69.4 percent. In Madhes Province, the literacy rate is even lower, with males at 72.5 percent and females at 54.7 percent.

Violence against women

Violence against women is a pressing issue in Nepal. The Women Rehabilitation Centre reports 1,175 registered cases, including 179 of domestic violence, 179 of rape, 115 of sexual abuse, 25 of human trafficking, 69 of child marriage, 47 of dowry-related violence, 24 of witchcraft allegations, and 130 of polygamy. Koshi Province has the highest number of domestic violence (358 cases) and rape (72 cases) incidents. Child marriage, sexual abuse, dowry-related violence, witchcraft allegations, and polygamy are more prevalent in Madhes Province.

Health care discrimination

Healthcare discrimination poses severe risks for women in Nepal. Accessing quality healthcare is often challenging due to poverty, lack of education, and inadequate transportation. Discrimination and mistreatment in medical settings further discourage women from seeking necessary care. Although Nepal has reduced its maternal mortality rate from 539 per 100,000 live births in 1996 to 239 per 100,000 live births in 2016, progress has slowed. Each preventable death is one too many.

Women’s leadership

The 2015 Constitution of Nepal mandates that at least one woman holds a high-ranking position among the President, Vice-President, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Chair or Vice-Chair of the National Assembly. At the local level, women must occupy at least one mayor or deputy mayor position, and women hold 40 percent of top political roles across Nepal’s 753 local governments. However, in the 2022 elections, there were only 25 women Mayors/Chairs, 562 Deputy Mayors/Vice-Chairs, and 69 Ward Chairs. Despite their roles, many women leaders still face challenges in making decisions without consulting their husbands.

Restrictions on women’s freedom

Women in Nepal face numerous societal and legal restrictions that limit their freedom. These constraints hinder their ability to fully participate in society and make independent decisions. Addressing these issues requires governmental action and societal change, including implementing laws to protect women’s rights and shifting cultural attitudes. Many girls are forced into marriage due to a lack of freedom, with parental figures making crucial life decisions on their behalf. Promoting women’s rights and empowerment is vital for building a more equitable society.

Gender discrimination in Nepal is a persistent and widespread problem that affects women and girls across the country. Our charity is dedicated to combating this discrimination, believing that everyone deserves respect and equality. Your support is crucial in helping us create a more just and equal society for all.

During our childhood, while walking around Asan in Kathmandu, we often saw a rectangular white substance immersed in buckets of water. At that time, we had no idea what it was. Much later, we realized it was tofu. For those still unfamiliar with it, tofu is a form of paneer (cottage cheese) made from soybeans. Tofu is a staple in many Asian cuisines and is a versatile, nutrient-rich food that has gained popularity worldwide, not just for its health benefits but also for its adaptability in various culinary traditions.

According to research, the creator of tofu is said to be Liu An, a Han-dynasty prince of Anhui province, who prepared soybeans in a similar fashion to grains. He followed by drying, mashing, and boiling them, with the addition of sea salt. The salt, which contains calcium and magnesium, acted as both a seasoning and a solidifying agent to form curds. Since then, sea salts have been used to process tofu from soybeans as far back as 200 BC.

Tofu is believed to have originated from Shouxian, a country within the Anhui province in Southeast China. Shouxian civilization, once known as Shouchun or Shouyang during the Zhou dynasty in 203 BC, has since been recognized as a historical and cultural town of China. In Shouxian, tofu was prepared by coagulating smashed soybeans with water and placing them into a curdling box. The technique spread throughout Asia, becoming a staple in Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and beyond. Major consumption of tofu began in the early 1980s in America.

Tofu was first introduced to Japan around the 8th century by Buddhist monks, where it became popular due to the influence of Buddhism and its vegetarian principles. In Japan, tofu became a vital part of the diet, often featured in traditional dishes like ‘miso soup’ and ‘agedashi tofu’.

When was tofu introduced to Nepal? This is a matter for systematic research, but what we can say is that tofu’s introduction to Nepal is relatively recent compared to its long history in China and Japan. With the rise of health consciousness and a growing trend toward vegetarianism, tofu has found a place in Nepali cuisine. It’s commonly used as a substitute for paneer in traditional dishes, and its popularity is growing in urban areas. Though it’s still sold in open buckets in some traditional shops in Kathmandu, you can now find many varieties of tofu in packaged form.

In Nepal, tofu is not only appreciated for its nutritional value but also for its versatility. It can be stir-fried, grilled, added to soups, or used in momo as a filling. The shift toward tofu in Nepali diets reflects broader global trends where plant-based diets are becoming more prevalent.

Tofu is praised for its impressive nutritional profile. It’s rich in protein, making it a great meat substitute for vegetarians and vegans. Additionally, tofu contains essential amino acids, calcium, iron, and magnesium. It’s also low in calories and free from cholesterol, making it beneficial for heart health and weight management.

The global tofu market is experiencing substantial growth, driven by the increasing adoption of vegetarian and vegan diets. In 2023, the market was valued at approximately US$ 274.43 billion and is expected to reach nearly US$ 391.33 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.2%.

As more consumers become aware of the health benefits of plant-based diets, tofu’s demand has risen. The environmental impact of meat production has led many to seek sustainable protein alternatives, with tofu being a prime choice. Tofu’s integral role in Asian cuisine continues to drive its demand globally, especially as these cuisines become more popular.

Processed tofu holds the majority share due to its longer shelf life and affordability. The food and beverage sector dominates the market, with tofu being a key ingredient in various dishes. Supermarkets are the leading distribution channel, thanks to their convenience and broad product offerings.

Despite its benefits, tofu faces some challenges. There are concerns about soy’s potential effects on thyroid function and its link to breast cancer, though ongoing research aims to address these issues. Tofu’s bland taste and unique texture can be off-putting to some people unfamiliar with it, though this is mitigated by its ability to absorb flavors from seasonings and sauces.

The Asia-Pacific region holds the largest market share, particularly in countries like China, Japan, and Korea, where tofu has deep cultural roots. In North America and Europe, there is a significant demand for tofu, spurred by rising vegan populations and the increasing popularity of plant-based diets.

The tofu market is expected to continue growing as more consumers seek healthy, sustainable food options. Innovations in tofu products, such as flavored or fortified varieties, and expanding tofu’s reach into new geographic markets will likely drive future growth.

Tofu’s journey from ancient China to a global food staple underscores its importance in the modern diet. Its rise in Nepal reflects global trends, and its market growth signals a broader shift toward sustainable, plant-based eating. As the world embraces more health-conscious and environmentally friendly food choices, tofu’s role in the global food industry is set to expand even further.

The author is a UK-based R&D chef

The constitution-making process is a crucial opportunity to restructure the governance system. It’s been nearly a decade since the promulgation of Nepal’s Constitution, and throughout this exercise, the three branches of government— executive, legislative and judiciary—have faced controversy and criticism. Future constitutional practice in Nepal will likely be more complex and demanding as it appears that the judiciary, which is required by the constitution to act in accordance with the constitution by judicially reviewing the unlawful and unconstitutional acts committed by other state organs, is losing its capacity to carry out its duties.

It is undeniable that the judiciary will play a significant role in strengthening, maturing, and advancing the constitutional jurisprudence and constitution through development, as our constitution, which was enacted with the rule of law and constitutional supremacy, tries to amend the governance system and constitutional practice through mainstream consensus while remain within the limits of the constitution.

The constitution is said to be a reflection of the society’s consciousness. The necessity of developing, reforming, and amending the constitution becomes apparent when there is a shift in societal consciousness. Constitutional reforms are also necessary to end the flaws or skewed practices observed during the constitutional practice. Only issues concerning the judiciary or the constitution have been addressed in this article.

Structural reform matters 

The preamble of the Constitution of Nepal envisions an independent, impartial, and competent judiciary, while Article 126 ensures that Nepal’s justice-related rights will be exercised only by courts and judicial bodies in accordance with the legitimate principles of the Constitution, law, and justice. Courts and judicial bodies are the only entities that can exercise justice-related rights.

The way for maintaining the judiciary’s independence and competence is that, because the judiciary has the right to judicial review of executive and legislative acts, it is recognized that it should remain independent and competent under all circumstances. Because the executive and legislature primarily challenge the judiciary’s independence, the standards of independence should be determined by the constitution itself, and our constitution has adopted the necessary constitutional provisions.

Constitutional Council

The Constitutional Council, chaired by the Prime Minister, advises appointments for the Chief Justice and other constitutional organs. This sacred objective has been nearly destroyed by constitutional practice so far, raising issues about the fundamental concept of an independent judiciary, and there is an urgent need for reassessment. The following are the grounds for the necessity to change the current structure of the Constitutional Council:

It has been demonstrated in practice that when the court makes judgments alongside the government and the legislative, it is impossible to achieve the constitutional goal of an independent, competent, and effective judiciary. The judiciary’s ability to review decisions made by other branches of government has become apparent.

The principle of a transparent and independent trial, as well as natural justice, have been violated because a bench, including the Chief Justice, is required to evaluate the legitimacy of the decision and the judicial procedure. 

On the other hand, due to Chief Justices’ unwillingness to face such issues or their desire to step down, or for various concealed factors, such disagreements could not be settled for a long time, raising concerns about the judiciary’s efficiency.

It has been revealed that the Chief Justice’s position in the Constitutional Council forces the Executive and Legislative branches, as well as the Judiciary, to exercise undue influence or, in some instances, make transactions with those organs, agencies or persons.

The judiciary, like other organs of the state, will be discredited. If this constitutional clause is not addressed promptly, public trust in the court will decline further, and democracy will undoubtedly suffer. As a result, it appears unavoidable that the Constitution be altered to separate the Chief Justice from the Constitutional Council.

Judicial Council

It is necessary to modify the Judicial Council's current structure as well because it is not capable of fulfilling its constitutional mandate, which calls for it to recommend judges for appointment to all levels of government and to take disciplinary action against judges of courts other than the Supreme Court. The reasons behind this can be stated as follows:

• The recommendation process for the appointment of judges is non-transparent, the merit system cannot be adopted, the judicial council is influenced by political pressure, complaints against judges are not processed on time, all four areas of the appointment of judges frequently express dissatisfaction with the appointment, and the judicial council's decisions and actions are not implemented. Dissatisfactions are expressed during the appointment, claiming that relatives, nepotism, favors, and temptations have usurped their position.
• This framework appears to be failing to meet constitutional objectives because standards are sometimes set in the appointment of judges, sometimes they are postponed, and rules are changed based on the individual.
• The Judicial Council's performance is considered low because it is not accountable to Parliament, the Judiciary, or the Constitution. As a result, the constitution must be reviewed by changing the structure of the judicial council and appointing a majority of judicial leadership, recommending the appointment of judges from the collegium system in which Supreme Court judges participate, as is the case in India, or by exploring alternative approaches.

Parliament hearing

Parliamentary hearings on the proceedings of the Chief Justice and Supreme Court judges have had a negative impact on the notion and practice of an independent judiciary, as well as jurisdiction. 

The parliamentary hearing is a political process that cannot be completed without the involvement of the political level. As political involvement must be demonstrated, those who are recommended to pass the parliamentary hearing stage expect the backing of the political sector, and the political sector has different expectations of the recommended individual. 

The course of parliamentary hearings appears to be in threat of being a negotiation point between the political and judicial branches. This has eroded the core notion of an independent judiciary. 

Thus, in the case of the Chief Justice and Supreme Court judges, it is appropriate to review the current constitutional provision regarding parliamentary hearings and implement the public hearing method process recommended by the judicial council that makes the appointment recommendation. 

High Court

According to the phrases and terms used in Articles 133 and 144 of the Constitution of Nepal, the High Court, in addition to determining the validity of laws, has the same authority to exercise extraordinary jurisdiction as the Supreme Court. However, even now, it appears that the high courts are unable to completely exercise their jurisdiction.

In some circumstances, the High Court’s appear to be simple continuations of the earlier Appellate Courts. The appointment of judges, qualifications, as well as the study and skill of legal practitioners, all contribute to this.

But basically, from the standpoint of expanding extraordinary jurisdiction to the High Court like the Supreme Court, it has become unavoidable to review the constitution and provide the High Court with the power.  

This reduces the Supreme Court's workload while simultaneously simplifying and speeding up the administration of justice. Likewise, by establishing the High Courts as Supreme Courts or Courts of Record, such as the High Courts of India or other federal countries, it should be ensured that the judicial principles advanced by the High Courts are binding on the District Courts or other judicial bodies subordinate to them. 

Impeachment process

The Constitution’s Article 101(2) states that the House of Representatives may impeach the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and other judges with a two-thirds vote. However, in certain instances, this power has been misused and the House has been unable to demonstrate its impartiality in other situations.

In India, six judges, including the Chief Justice, have faced impeachment, but to this day, they have not been impeached. According to Article 124(4) of the Constitution of India, if the Chief Justice or a judge of the Supreme Court is impeached by a two-thirds majority of both the Federal Houses on the grounds of misconduct and incompetence, the judges of the Supreme Court shall not be dismissed from office except by the President.

On the other hand, it has become necessary to review the current constitutional provisions and create a constitutional arrangement to swiftly resolve the related provisions enrolled against the Chief Justice and judges, as the House of Representatives' impeachment proposal has been delayed for a long time due to political wrangling.

In conclusion, the judiciary’s structural reform is now essential. The aforementioned issues, as well as any other subjects, can be the focus of structural reforms.

I love books that have elaborate descriptions of food and cooking. They have a comforting and calming feel to them. I had a colleague who would only read fiction where the main character was a chef or someone who loved to cook. She said these books gave her hope and instilled a strong belief that when all else failed there would always be food, to nourish and ground you. Over time, reading about food has made me want to be better in the kitchen. I have learned to cook many dishes just by googling recipes that fictional characters have made in their fictional world. Somehow, they always come out well, despite my mediocre cooking skills. Here are five books that you might enjoy if you are a foodie like me. 

Love & Saffron by Kim Fay

Set in the 1960s, ‘Love & Saffron’ is witty and tender. It’s a reminder of the fact that good food and a good life are two sides of a coin. It begins when Joan Bergstrom sends a fan letter to food writer Imogen Fortier, thereby kickstarting a life-changing friendship. The two women communicate through letters and build a closeness that helps them get through tough times as well as reminds them to be grateful for all the good things they have been blessed with. Through their letters, the two not only discuss food but also talk about the books they love. It’s a feel-good story that teaches you the value of food and friendship, and the importance of connections in life.

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Elizabeth Zott is a chemist. She works hard at the lab, doing research on things that matter. But after years of working in her lab, she finds herself the reluctant star of America’s most beloved cooking show Supper at Six. Her no nonsense, scientific approach to cooking appeals to the masses. She doesn’t say vinegar and salt. She says, “combine one tablespoon of acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride” instead. And it’s endearing. You want to reach in and hug Elizabeth. Without realizing what she is doing, Elizabeth, through her cooking techniques, is challenging women to change the status quo. ‘Lessons in Chemistry’ has elaborate descriptions of food that will whet your appetite and leave you wanting to put on the chef’s hat.

 The Kitchen’s God Wife by Amy Tan

Amy Tan is a genius. I love all her works. I read ‘The Kitchen God’s Wife’ when I was in high school and have since then recommended and gifted it to many of my family and friends. It’s Tan’s second novel which was published in 1991. The book is essentially about relationships and explores the complex dynamics between a mother and a daughter. It’s a story about a woman who is born into wealth in pre-communist China. She goes through a degrading arranged marriage and the early deaths of three children, lives through World War II, and emigrated to America, before finally creating a comfortable and stable life for herself in a new country. What I loved about the book is the numerous mentions of food and recipes that are handed down from one generation to another.

Ghosts by Dolly Alderton

I believe in first novels. They hold a lot of promise. They have got a writer’s sweat, blood, and tears on them and I often find myself picking them up because of that very reason. ‘Ghosts’ in Dolly Alderton’s first novel. I read her other works before I read this book. Though I like her writing, I instantly connected with Ghost more than with the others. The premise is simple but the book has a sharp message. It’s a coming-of-age novel that discusses the importance of family and our relationships, especially the one we have with ourselves.

Thirty-year-old food writer Nina Dean gets stood up numerous times by a Very Lame Dude but that’s not what haunts her the most. Her friendships are disappearing and her father has dementia. The only place that calms her down is the kitchen. 

Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel

‘Like Water for Chocolate’ is a classic love story that takes place on the De la Garza ranch. The book opens with the tyrannical owner, Mama Elena, chopping onions at the kitchen table in her final days of pregnancy. While still in her mother’s womb, the child cries so violently she causes an early labor. Little Tita slips out amid the spices and ingredients for noodle soup. This early encounter with food soon becomes a way of life for her. Tita grows up to be a master chef, using cooking to express herself and sharing recipes with readers along the way. Tita loves Pedro but she can’t marry him because of her family’s traditions. Cooking is how she can express her pent-up emotions. It’s cathartic. The lighthearted book will make you laugh, sigh, and shed a tear or two while reminding you of the healing powers of food.