Ranjha (Banke), February 13, 2024: Anju Devi Shrestha, 33, from Bardiya, and Suprita Gurung, also 33, from Tanahu, have had their same-sex marriage officially recognized. Both Shrestha, a resident of Badhaiyatal-2, Bardiya, and Gurung from Bandipur-5, Tanahu, are women.

Their marriage was legally recognized by the Badhaiyatal Rural Municipality, Ward No. 2 Office. Shrestha and Gurung formalized their relationship into marriage approximately five years ago.

Deepak Nepali, the ward secretary and civil registration officer of Badhaiyatal-2, confirmed that Anju and Suprita submitted their marriage registration application to the Ward Office on January 18, 2024. The office issued the marriage registration certificate on Sunday, in collaboration with the technical section of the Department of National ID and Civil Registration.

The certificate indicates that the marriage has been temporarily registered until the enactment of relevant laws, stated Arjun Subedi, the chief administrative officer of the Rural Municipality.

Anju currently resides in Kohalpur-5, Banke district, while Suprita lives in Britain.

“We got acquainted through Facebook while studying in Grade 12. As our relationship grew stronger, we decided to marry,” said Anju, during a press conference held in Nepalgunj on Monday.

“We performed our marriage ceremony according to our religious customs after falling in love and choosing to live together,” she added. According to her, they exchanged vows at the Chhanchhangdi Temple in Waling, Syangja, five years ago.

Although they faced disapproval from their families and relatives previously, they now have their support.

Paschim Tara Nepal, Nepalgunj, and Mayako Pahichan Nepal, Kathmandu, two social organizations advocating for the rights and identity of sexual and gender minority communities, have stated that the registration of Anju and Suprita’s marriage has strengthened their campaign.