Bhumika Shrestha

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Honourable
Bhumika Shrestha
भूमिका श्रेष्ठ
Bhumika Shrestha-Headshot-e1646028157977-332x332.png
Shrestha in 2022
Member of House of Representatives
Incumbent
Assumed office
27 March 2026
Known for
LGBTQ+ rights activism in Nepal
Awards
 IWOC (2022) [3]

Bhumika Shrestha [a] (born 11 January 1988) is a Nepalese politician, LGBTQ+ rights activist, former actress and author who served as a activist before entering national politics. On 27 March 2026, she entered the House of Representatives via proportional representation (PR) list of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, becoming Nepal's first trans woman Member of Parliament (MP). [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

Contents

Personal life

Bhumika Shrestha was born as Kailash Shrestha on 11 January 1988, in Naikap, Kathmandu, Nepal, where she grew up as the youngest of three siblings. [9] She eventually adopted the name Bhumika Shrestha and identifies herself as a trans woman. [10] [11] [12]

Despite strong initial family and community opposition during her transition, she maintained a close bond with her mother, Numaya Shrestha. Her mother later spoke publicly at the launch of Bhumika's biography. [13]

Political career

Following the Rastriya Swatantra Party's landslide victory in the 2026 Nepalese general election, Bhumika Shrestha was elected to the House of Representatives on 27 March 2026 through the Janajati proportional representation (PR) list, becoming Nepal's first trans woman member of parliament (MP). [14]

Filmography

Starring

Self

Awards

In 2022, Bhumika Shrestha was awarded the International Women of Courage Award (IWOC) from the United States Department of State. [15]

See also

Bibliography

References

Notes

  1. ↑ Nepali: भूमिका श्रेष्ठ, romanized: Bhūmikā Śreṣṭha

Citations

  1. ↑ "With no regrets whatsoever: Bhumika Shrestha, born Kailash". My Republica. 9 July 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2026.
  2. ↑ "Transgender Bhumika Shrestha releases her Biography". My Republica. 13 January 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2026.
  3. ↑ "Nepali Transgender Rights Activist Bhumika Shrestha Wins 2022 International Women of Courage Award". U.S. Embassy in Nepal. 9 March 2022. Retrieved 25 October 2026.
  4. ↑ "Interview with Bhumika Shrestha" (PDF). Qualitative Analysis in Action. Liverpool John Moores University: 3. 7 February 2019.
  5. ↑ Jenni_and_Lisa. "Bhumika Shrestha: Nepal's Supertrans Activist, Representative, and Model". Velvet Park Media. Archived from the original on 9 February 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  6. ↑ "5 things about Bhumika Shrestha". My Republica. Archived from the original on 9 February 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  7. ↑ "Bhumika becomes first transgender to travel abroad with 'other' category passport". Kathmandu Post. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  8. ↑ Robson, Graham (16 March 2026). "Nepal hails 'historic milestone' as Bhumika Shrestha becomes country's first trans lawmaker". Scene Magazine. Retrieved 25 October 2026.
  9. ↑ "With no regrets whatsoever: Bhumika Shrestha, born Kailash". My Republica. 9 July 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2026.
  10. ↑ "DIVIDING BY THREE: NEPAL RECOGNIZES A THIRD GENDER". worldpolicy.org. Archived from the original on 30 January 2022.
  11. ↑ "A proud woman". Nepali Times. 16 March 2012. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  12. ↑ Young, Holly (12 February 2016). "Trans rights: Meet the face of Nepal's progressive 'third gender' movement". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  13. ↑ "Transgender Bhumika Shrestha releases her Biography". My Republica. 13 January 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2026.
  14. ↑ "Nepal welcomes first transgender lawmaker". France 24. Agence France-Presse. 16 March 2026. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  15. ↑ "Nepali Transgender Rights Activist Bhumika Shrestha Wins 2022 International Women of Courage Award". U.S. Embassy in Nepal. 9 March 2022. Retrieved 25 October 2026.
  16. ↑ "Transgender Bhumika Shrestha releases her Biography". My City. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
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