Two transgender candidates, Honey Maharjan and Mouni Maharjan, are running in Nepal’s local body by-elections. The voting will take place on Sunday across 32 districts.
There are 44 vacant positions, but by-elections are being held for 41 local-level roles. These include two rural municipality chairs, four vice-chairpersons, one municipal chief, one deputy chief, and 32 ward chairpersons. Additionally, some positions were filled unopposed, including the chiefs of district coordination committees and one ward chairperson. A total of 376 candidates, including independents, are competing.
Honey, 44, is running for mayor of Kirtipur, a municipality near Kathmandu. She works as a tour guide. She grew up in a poor family and has faced many struggles. In the past, she washed dishes in a restaurant and worked in a garment factory.
Mouni, 29, is running for the position of ward chairperson in the same municipality. Both Honey and Mouni are members of the People’s Socialist Party.
Nepal has progressive LGBTQ laws. However, no LGBTQ person has held public office since 2008. Honey hopes her candidacy will “inspire others in the queer community to participate openly in future elections.”
Despite the progressive laws, LGBTQ individuals still face discrimination in employment, healthcare, and education. Honey shared, “Until now, not one of our community members exercised the right to run for mayoral elections in Nepal.” She described her past as a “nightmare,” full of abuse and discrimination. She hopes to bring change.
Mouni’s priorities include improving infrastructure and sanitation. However, she also aims to fight the stigma against LGBTQ people. She plans to add LGBTQ topics to school curriculums. “This will allow the new generation to ‘easily accept our presence’ and treat us better,” she said.
Honey and Mouni are both pushing for greater visibility and acceptance of the LGBTQ community in Nepal’s political sphere.
