Nepal confirms first transgender lawmaker

Nepal's first elected transgender woman lawmaker, Bhumika Shrestha (C) poses with a member of the LGBTQ community for a selfie in Kathmandu on March 16, 2026. Shrestha on March 16 became Nepal's first transgender woman lawmaker, marking a milestone for the marginalised community in the Himalayan nation. - AFP

KATHMANDU: Draped in garlands, Bhumika Shrestha on Monday became Nepal's first transgender woman lawmaker, marking a milestone for the marginalised community in the Himalayan nation.

Nepal's Election Commission confirmed the 37-year-old as a proportional representation MP from the centrist Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) which won a majority in parliament with 182 seats last week.