A/HRC/61/41/Add.1 B. Minority and Dalit young people 48. Minority and Dalit young people are a fundamental component of the Generation Z movement. They have been advocating to eradicate the root causes of socioeconomic inequalities and the cross-cutting layers of discrimination felt by the most marginalized communities in Nepal. When asked whether they see their future in Nepal or abroad, in order to pursue their dreams and aspirations, their message to the Special Rapporteur was clear. They are here to stay and desire to see a Nepal that is more just, with equal access to opportunities for all, no matter one’s ethnic, religious, linguistic, national or caste background. In their words, “that is what we fought for in the September 2025 protests”. C. Minority and Dalit women and girls 49. Minority and Dalit women and girls face several layers of discrimination in society, and even additional layers depending on whether they are living with disabilities, a senior citizen or widowed, or all of the above. Though explicitly prohibited by the Witchcraft Accusation (Crime and Punishment) Act (2015), Dalit and minority women and girls continue to face false accusations of witchcraft. Child marriage and adolescent pregnancy remain prevalent across Nepal, especially in remote areas. 80 Many women have limited autonomy over decisions related to their sexual reproductive health and rights. Violence against women and girls continues to be widespread, most often occurring within the family. Dalit and minority communities, including Madhesis and Muslims, experience higher levels of violence and face significant barriers to access to justice. For example, when seeking to file a complaint about domestic violence with the police, several such women and girls informed the Special Rapporteur that they had been discouraged to do so. 50. In various areas of Nepal, women and girls belonging to minority groups are ostracized when they menstruate. Through the chhaupadi practice, they are forcibly exiled from their homes while menstruating to “menstruation huts”. Although the chhaupadi practice is criminalized in the Criminal Code (art. 168 (3)) and its prevalence has decreased, it remains prevalent in Karnali Province. D. Madhesis 51. Comprising more than one third of the population, Madhesis are an ethnic group that primarily live in the southern plains of Nepal, in the area bordering India. 81 Madhesis are predominately Hindus, albeit some are Muslims or Christians.82 Madhesis have generally felt marginalized by the elite, the northern hill people, also known as the Khas Arya 83 (see para. 13 above). Simultaneously, the Khas Arya have been suspicious of Madhesis’ loyalty to Nepal, due to their proximity to India. 84 The Special Rapporteur was informed that Madhesis experienced entrenched, multidimensional discrimination in Nepal and remained significantly underrepresented in the civil service and the police. Madhesis face significant hurdles in access to citizenship, culminating in barriers to vote, own property and access public services. As described above, Madhesi women face additional layers of discrimination and are often additionally subjected to harmful cultural practices, including the dowry system and early and forced marriage, perpetuating economic insecurity and gender-based violence. 80 81 82 83 84 14 See https://un.org.np/sites/default/files/doc_publication/2021-02/HP_perception_survey_0.pdf. See www.aljazeera.com/features/2016/4/5/nepals-ethnic-madhesis-fight-for-dignity-and-equality. Ibid. Ibid. Ibid. GE.26-01953