Neema Giri is a provincial legislative assembly member of Lumbini Province. She is a distinguished advocate and lawyer, and one of the region’s youngest and most proactive Members of Parliament. After venturing into her first term as a Member of Parliament of Nepal’s Lumbini Province, she swiftly catalyzed change, mainly through her groundbreaking efforts in championing women’s and LGBTIQ rights.
Her recent triumph involves the passage of a pioneering bill addressing Period Leave for female employees and reservations in Government Offices for the LGBTIQ in Lumbini Province. This initiative reflects her legal acumen and underscores her unwavering commitment to elevating the status of women and the LGBTIQ community in society. Neema is one of the learners of the Development Entrepreneurship Online Course.
Lumbini Province grapples with alarming rates of maternal mortality, infant mortality, and numerous other challenges linked to women’s reproductive health. Undeterred by the initial skepticism and laughter that met my proposal, I persisted in championing the cause of women’s rights in our area.
The genesis of my initiative lies in my personal experience as a lawyer, where I am confronted by the stark realities that women endure during menstruation. It was a day in court when I found myself grappling with the physical discomfort and emotional challenges of menstruation while engaged in a crucial legal discussion. This experience catalyzed my decision to address the broader issues surrounding women’s reproductive health in Lumbini Province.
Twin policy reforms
I initiated the passage of the Period Leave policy, which I passionately view as a pivotal step towards acknowledging and respecting women’s reproductive health. The bill provides women with the needed support to navigate the physical, emotional, and mental challenges that accompany menstruation. This was not just about policy reform, but a profound acknowledgment of a woman’s autonomy over her body. I am proud to share that Lumbini Province made headlines by being the first province to introduce menstrual leave.
I also often travel to Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, from my hometown in Pyuthan. During my journey, I would see many people from the LGBTIQ community making their living from begging money from travelers or tourists. I could see these people being disrespected, humiliated, and laughed at. At that moment, I realized I could do more, and that the LGBTIQ community deserved a lot better. Hence, I also started working on a bill that ensured LGBTIQ people were reserved slots to work in the Government Offices of Lumbini Province.
The Act, entitled “An Act for the Formation, Operation, and Conditions of Service of the State Civil Service,” has not only changed the way people perceive this community, but has also ensured that the government recognizes, protects, and supports them.
In the face of initial skepticism, my team and I persevered— turning laughter into applause, and doubt into support. Once seen as a novelty, the bill is now a progressive policy that empowers women and LGBTIQ across Lumbini Province to care for themselves during menstruation, and have access to government jobs without fear of professional repercussions.
Working on the Period Leave policy and the LGBTIQ Reservation policy marks a legislative milestone and symbolizes a broader societal shift towards recognizing and prioritizing women and LGBTIQ’s well-being. In a region where cultural norms and practices often intersect with women’s rights, our team was dedicated to seeing these twin policies come to fruition.
DE as a game changer
As I was serving my term, and with the experiences mentioned earlier, I had a chance to take a course on Development Entrepreneurship. The course had a significant impact on why I chose to work on these policies. Among the many things in the course that impacted me, ‘Just Start’ was my game changer. The course encouraged me to take the leap to positive change, no matter how small or big the challenges looked.
As a legislator and advocate, I believe in the power of even a single individual to spark change…that progress often begins with one courageous voice. I hope these policies on Period Leave and LGBTIQ Reservation will further shape the narrative of women’s and LGBTIQ’s rights in the land of Lumbini.
References:
Marasini, P. (2023, December 23). The debate triggered by menstrual leave. Retrieved from The Annapurna Express: https://theannapurnaexpress.com/story/46991/
Republica Nepal. (2023, September 9). Lumbini province govt endorses civil service bill. Retrieved from myRepublica: https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/lumbini-endorses-civil-service-bill/
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