Banke Makes History by Issuing First-Ever Citizenship Certificate Under Mother’s Name
Banke, Nepal — In a landmark move seen as a major step toward gender equality, the District Administration Office (DAO), Banke, has issued its first-ever citizenship certificate under a mother’s name, setting a powerful precedent in Nepal’s citizenship system.
The historic certificate was granted to 24-year-old Mohan Godiya of Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City–8, with his mother, Maya Kumari Godiya, listed as the parent instead of the father. The certificate was officially issued under the amended provisions of Nepal’s citizenship laws, marking a turning point in long-standing administrative practices .
A Milestone for Gender Justice
Traditionally, Nepali citizenship certificates have been issued primarily in the father’s name, often leaving individuals without citizenship when paternal identity could not be established. The issuance in Banke follows recent amendments to the Citizenship Act, 2063 BS, and the Citizenship Rules, which allow citizenship to be granted in the mother’s name under specified legal conditions .
Officials at the DAO confirmed that the decision was made strictly in line with the new legal framework. Chief District Officer Dil Kumar Tamang stated that the administration is committed to implementing the amended law and ensuring that eligible citizens are not deprived of their constitutional rights.
“I Finally Feel Like a Citizen”
For Mohan Godiya, the certificate represents more than paperwork. Speaking after receiving the document, he said that gaining citizenship has given him a sense of dignity and belonging, opening doors to education, employment, and other state services that were previously out of reach .
Nationwide Impact Expected
Legal experts and rights activists have hailed the move as a breakthrough for women’s rights and inclusive citizenship. With the legal pathway now clarified, similar cases are expected to be processed across the country, potentially benefiting thousands who have long been excluded from citizenship due to technical barriers.
The Banke case is being widely viewed as a symbolic and practical shift—one that could reshape how citizenship is understood and administered in Nepal, placing mothers at the center of legal recognition for the first time in many districts.
As implementation expands nationwide, this decision is likely to remain a trending national story, reflecting Nepal’s evolving approach to equality, identity, and constitutional rights.
