Co-producing a post-trafficking agenda: collaborating on transforming citizenship in Nepal

Figures & data

Table 1. Shakti Samuha's proposal to change current citizenship provision in new constitution.

March 2011, Kathmandu

These points were raised in February activists’ workshop, promoted through the media campaign, shared with anti-trafficking feminists, human rights activists and wider NGO communities and handed in to CA members/Fundamental Rights Committee Chair.

1. Citizenship to women and men should be granted based on birth, no parents' endorsement required.

2. Citizenship for children born abroad to the mothers who were sexually exploited abroad and now living in Nepal with their mothers should be granted based on state endorsement.

3. Considering the geopolitical location of Nepal and sensitivity attached to citizenship, our demand is to have a special provision. In regard to trafficked women, it should be the state formulating special provisions to grant citizenship to trafficked women and their children and it should be stated in the upcoming constitution.

4. Until radical changes are made, current provision must be amended in line of a provision to provide descent citizenship through mother as well.

5. The gender-based discrimination should be ended: marrying a foreigner, employment, giving citizenship rights to offspring, acquiring Naturalised citizenship should be based on Nepal's agreement with CEDAW^a and other human rights commitments the country has signed/ratified.

6. Children special: The state should be responsible for providing citizenship to those whose parental detail or descent is unknown.

Note: ^aConvention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.