Shilbhiya Sedhain, a third-year student at Kathmandu School of Law, writes an opinion page on nepalnews.com that calls for women to be included in old Nepali traditions and rituals.
As a woman, I do not need to justify my decision to step away from certain traditional Nepali customs and rituals, especially when those very traditions have long excluded women. At this point in our journey toward equality, we should ask whether choosing not to participate is actually a thoughtful and empowered choice.
Many of my Newar female friends often tell me how tired they are. Almost every other week, they are expected to prepare for another Nakha, with the responsibilities continuing until the year ends, only for a new year to begin and the cycle to start all over again.
Yet now we see a third-year law student writing an opinion piece, calling for women to be included in these centuries-old practices and suggesting that we are somehow missing out by not being part of them.
But inclusion does not always mean progress. Being allowed into a system that has long worked against us is not necessarily a step forward.
And honestly, if one of these rituals happens to fall during those few days in the month when I am traditionally expected to stay away, then I say thank you. I will gladly take the break.
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