"Building Bridges, Not Barriers"
Challenges Faced by Transgender and Queer Communities in Nepal’s Tech Industry
Transgender and queer people in Nepal face many problems when trying to work in the tech industry. Even though Nepal legally recognizes a third gender, many still experience discrimination and unfair treatment.
Education is a critical challenge—many queer and transgender students drop out of school due to bullying, as noted by UNESCO in 2020. This makes it harder for them to get the skills needed for tech jobs. Furthermore, most companies in Nepal do not have policies to protect LGBTQIA+ workers or create inclusive workplaces. Many fear being open about their identity at work due to the risk of harassment.
Ecosystem Realities
of trans individuals struggle to find jobs due to identity bias (Blue Diamond Society, 2021).
of LGBTQIA+ people work in formal jobs, with very few represented in tech (2022 Report).
Systematic Divides & Digital Gaps
Social media and digital spaces have long been safe places for LGBTQIA+ people to express themselves, share information, and build community. However, issues like discriminatory laws, weak regulations, poor infrastructure, and the high cost of devices and internet access have created a big gap between the transgender community and technology. This gap is made worse by how Nepali society views queerness and queer expression, adding to the challenges the community faces.
In full awareness of this, we initiated our project ‘Tech for Trans’ back in March 2023. With ‘Tech for Trans’, we aim to address the issues faced by trans and queer communities in Nepal.
While we aim to address issues faced by the greater queer community especially considering the intersectionality of identities, our focus is on the issues of trans individuals in Nepal. Our definition of trans includes transgender individuals, non-binary individuals, intersex individuals, and all other gender-diverse individuals. It focuses on making technology more accessible for trans and queer individuals while fostering mutual understanding.
The program is dedicated to empowering LGBTQIA+ people by equipping them with practical skills and essential knowledge to confidently pursue careers in technology. By adopting a hands-on approach, Tech for Trans aims to bridge the gap between the LGBTQIA+ community and the tech world. It addresses the lack of inclusivity within the tech industry while also tackling the challenges that marginalized communities often face in accessing education and opportunities in this field.
Initiative Timeline
Project Formation
Research for 'Understanding Tech Needs of Trans and Queer People in Nepal' begins.
One-on-one interviews for 'Understanding Tech Needs of Trans and Queer People in Nepal'.
The final research report is published.
First Tech for Trans Summit
Tech for Trans Kiosks Roadshow Pokhara
Tech for Trans Kiosks Roadshow Janakpur
Tech for Trans Kiosks Roadshow Kathmandu
"Before action, we chose understanding"
We began our project with a literature review surrounding the discussions of trans and queer identities in digital circles, with a focus on Nepal and South Asia. Realizing the lack of literature surrounding it, we ran a survey titled ‘Understanding tech needs of trans & queer people in Nepal’ from the period of March 2023 - April 2023. The survey aimed to understand how queer and trans people use the internet and how their internet experience is limited by different factors. We also tried to assess their interest in learning different digital skills.
We collected around twenty-five responses and we were able to develop an introductory understanding of the trans-tech divide. We then followed that with one-on-one interviews with trans people belonging to different gender identities (trans men, trans women, non-binary folks, agender folks, etc.) where we were able to gain a better understanding of the divide. Ms. Dia Yonzon, our research writer for the project, helped us analyze our findings to produce a comprehensive research report.
Understanding Tech Needs of Trans/Queer People in Nepal
Author: Dia Yonzon & Sushobhan Chimoriya • November 2023
Interview Objectives
- Understand challenges trans individuals face in tech education and employment, and how they overcome them.
- Explore how societal norms, cultural perceptions, and legal frameworks shape sector experiences.
- Examine corporate attitudes, policies, and practices in Nepal regarding LGBTQIA+ inclusion.
- Assess how expanding representation can promote wider inclusivity and systemic social change.
Key Research Questions
- What barriers exist in education and jobs inside Nepal's technology structures?
- How do structural, cultural, and legal frameworks impact sector environments?
- What are current management attitudes and why remains trans representation low?
- How can integration contribute toward scaled community modernizations?
Survey Results & Metrics
Internet Use
Most participants use platforms daily for education, workforce advancement, and community integration.
Safety Concerns
High rates of online harassment, trolling, and systemic abuse stop users from safely sharing personal info.
Lack of Safe Spaces
Insufficient platforms protect trans individuals from structural judgment or baseline discrimination.
Respectful Behavior
Participants strongly request policies tracking and restricting targeted digital hate speech.
Access Barriers
Compounded infrastructure limitations like unstable connectivity, lack of devices, language, and caste divides.
Career Aspirations
High interest profiles captured in cutting-edge ecosystems like Artificial Intelligence, Web Dev, and Digital Marketing.
Tech for Trans Summit
The Tech for Trans Summit, held on January 27, 2024, was a vibrant one-day event designed to bridge the digital divide experienced by queer and trans individuals. Organized under the Tech for Trans program, the summit aimed to equip participants with foundational digital skills through interactive workshops, addressing the inaccessibility of technology to marginalized groups while fostering creativity and inclusion.
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Sushobhan ChimoriyaGetting Started with Generative AI
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Saurav Thapa ShresthaPride Tech Kiosk Roadshow
The Tech for Trans Pride Tech Kiosks Roadshow was created to bridge the gap between Nepal’s LGBTQIA+ community and the world of technology. Its main goal was to provide a safe and inclusive space where individuals could explore and learn about technology. The roadshow focused on offering hands-on training in areas like robotics, animation, video editing, 3D printing, and Scratch programming. It also aimed to connect participants with LGBTQIA+ role models and tech professionals, helping to promote representation and inclusivity within the tech industry.
From October to November 2024, it took place in Pokhara, Janakpur, and Kathmandu with support from the US Embassy and Beneath a Tree. The program trained 72 participants and introduced new activities, such as robo-soccer, helping participants gain skills, confidence, and a sense of inclusion in tech.
Rationale
Addressed the lack of opportunities in tech for marginalized groups by creating a supportive environment. Introduced tech as a career path offering flexibility, remote work configurations, robust compensation matrices, and intersections with alternate professional avenues.
Key Objectives
- Increase Access: Targeted tech learning frameworks.
- Inspire Careers: Value-focused digital enablement tracks.
- Build Community: Professional integration and mentor mapping.
- Hands-on Learning: Practical robotics, Scratch, and web setup.
Pokhara Roadshow
November 9, 2024Curriculum Sessions:
Queerness and Technology
Facilitator: Sushobhan Chimoriya
Capcut Training
Facilitator: Pramisha Timsina
Panel: Navigating the Nepali Tech Industry
Speakers: Nhasala Joshi, Jyoti Sapkota, Isha Baral
Interactive Kiosks:
Robotic Car Building: Drag-and-drop tool structures managed by Sarayu Gautam.
Pop-Up LED Cards: Circuit structures managed by Sarayu Gautam with regional volunteer networks.
3D Printing Showcase: Advanced system presentations led by Yarsa Tech team.
Janakpur Roadshow
November 12, 2024Curriculum Sessions:
Queerness and Technology
Facilitator: Sushobhan Chimoriya
Introduction to Web Development
Facilitator: Nawaj Sharif (Neelgai Tech)
Story Sharing: My Tech Journey
Speaker: Shivani Karna (WLiT Alumni)
Interactive Kiosks:
Pop-Up LED Lights Greeting Cards: Basic structural electrical routing systems.
Scratch Animation Creation: Framework logic manipulation with custom sprites and backgrounds.
Kathmandu Roadshow
November 23, 2024Curriculum Sessions:
Queerness and Technology
Facilitator: Sushobhan Chimoriya
Getting Started with Scratch
Facilitator: Riya Acharya (STEMinist Nepal)
Story Sharing: I Love My Job!
Speaker: Yaana Nayak (STEM Educator, Beneath a Tree)
Speed Mentoring Platforms
Mentors: WLiT Alumni and Board Members
Interactive Kiosks:
Pop-Up LED Cards: Complex circuit parameters and wiring mechanics.
3D Printing Exploration: Material matrices and object architecture tracking with Blanc Tech.
Robo Soccer & Race Bot Demos: High-fidelity machinery controls engineered by KEC Students.
Participant Evaluation
Enjoyed high-fidelity hands-on mechanics but identified deep complexity parameters across selective algorithmic modules. Deeply appreciated direct career mappings and tech leadership mentorship networks.
Partner Evaluations
Collaborative entities including Blue Diamond Society and Neelgai Tech secured deployment execution structures, reinforcing program logistics, context alignment, and pipeline optimization tracking.
Systemic Impact
Empowered regional trans and queer demographics to re-examine professional opportunities inside tech ecosystems, supplying accessible tooling structures for individual journey trajectories.
Impact Stories
Cohort Demographics
72 LGBTQIA+ individuals actively completed structural milestones, primarily sourced via partner databases and local application protocols. Secured zero-barrier entry points inside all target hubs.
Learning Outcomes
Acquired live deployment workflows in basic front-end architecture, Scratch workspace routing, and raw additive 3D manufacturing while identifying flexible workplace configurations.
Mentorship Pipelines
Direct exposure to native industry practitioners dismantled perceived entry limitations. Dialogues catalyzed individual transformations and defined structured professional pathways.
Network Infrastructure
Forged safe local structural alliances across cohort frameworks, connecting individual contributors to active professional tech channels and ongoing support systems.
Partner Networks & Ecosystems
We build ecosystem resilience alongside local change-makers and technological innovators across Nepal.
Naulo Bihani SamajNaulo Bihani Samaj
Based in Pokhara, Nepal, supports the LGBTQIA+ community by raising awareness and creating a safe, inclusive environment. It collaborates with partners like the Blue Diamond Society for Pride events and advocacy campaigns, provides essential health services, and strengthens impact through partnerships like LINKAGES Nepal.
NeelgaiNeelgai
A leading technology company in Nepal specializing in software development, IT infrastructure, and cybersecurity. Neelgai significantly contributes to Nepal's IT sector, developing solutions for both local and international markets, and continues to advance the country's technology landscape.
Blue Diamond SocietyBlue Diamond Society
Founded in 2001, Nepal's leading LGBTQIA+ rights organization advocating for equality and human rights. Key achievements include hosting Nepal's first Gaijatra Pride Festival, filing a landmark Supreme Court petition for LGBTQIA+ rights, and securing LGBTQIA+ topics in school curricula.
Tech For TransTech for Trans Initiative
An initiative under Women Leaders in Technology (WLiT) dedicated to empowering transgender, non-binary, intersex, and gender-diverse communities across Nepal through targeted tech education, skills training, and digital equity mapping.