Kathmandu: Sukumaya Lama, who was trafficked to India at the age of seven and forced to work in a circus, has finally obtained Nepali citizenship after a 15-year-long struggle. She received her citizenship today from the Makwanpur District Administration Office.

Born in Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City Ward No. 10 to Nepali parents, Sukumaya faced immense challenges in securing her citizenship solely because she married a foreign national. While living in India, she married an Indian man and had children. After her husband’s death and the closure of the circus, she was rescued and brought back to Nepal.

Upon her return, she faced years of bureaucratic and social hurdles. Authorities denied her citizenship on the basis of gender-biased interpretations, claiming her marriage to a foreigner disqualified her. This denial blatantly violated the constitutional provision that states: “If both parents are Nepali citizens, their children are Nepali as well.”

In 2012 (2069 BS), with the support of the Forum for Women, Law and Development (FWLD), Sukumaya filed a legal case. Her legal battle dragged on for nearly 13 years. Recently, the Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court (comprising the Chief Justice and four justices) issued a mandamus order directing the Makwanpur District Administration Office to grant her citizenship. Based on that verdict, Sukumaya was finally recognized as a citizen on Friday.

Expressing her happiness, Sukumaya said, “From an identity-less woman, I have now become a recognized citizen. I want to thank FWLD for standing by me throughout this long fight.”

Having struggled for over 15 years—13 of which were spent in court—Sukumaya said she was exhausted but relieved. During the citizenship issuance ceremony, she attended with “khada” (traditional ceremonial scarf) and sweets, celebrating her hard-won victory. She added that her next battle will be to secure citizenship rights for her two daughters.

FWLD’s Executive Director, Advocate Sabin Shrestha, expressed happiness over Sukumaya’s achievement, stating: “After a 13-year legal fight, we are happy that identity-less Sukumaya has now become a citizen. This case has once again highlighted the gender inequality in Nepal’s citizenship laws. While sons face no problem even if they marry foreigners, daughters are forced to fight for decades to claim the same rights.”

This landmark victory not only changes Sukumaya’s life but also shines a light on the systemic gender biases embedded in Nepal’s citizenship laws.