Sabin Shrestha Government of Nepal issued citizenship certificates via integrated mobile camps and citizenship certificate distribution camps.82 These figures are based on government sources. However, there was still “a need for information on trends in the acquisition of citizenship certificates and the associated barriers, as well as on the impacts to those who lack a certificate”.83 As a consequence, the Forum for Women, Law and Development (FWLD) conducted another survey among households in Nepal “to understand the demographic trends among citizenship certificate holders”. 84 Results of this survey corroborate that gender, caste, and household are highly correlated with the person’s possession of a citizenship certificate. They also indicate the persistence of the gender gap, “as nearly 87 percent of eligible men have acquired citizenship certificates, compared to approximately 74 percent of eligible women”.85 The study also points to the pervasive gender discrimination, particularly towards widows who face hurdles in obtaining citizenship certificates for their children. Other women without husbands, including victims of violence or sex workers were also unable to obtain citizenship certificates, mostly due to fears of their in-laws that by becoming citizens, they would be able to obtain property rights. Finally, a number of “women reported that their own biological family members did not want them to have a legal claim to family property and inheritance, and therefore refused to support their applications for citizenship certificates”. 86 More specifically, cultural practices and the lack of family support were among the key reasons why Muslim and Madhesi women were unable to apply for and obtain citizenship certificates. In addition to gender, other important factors for obtaining a citizenship certificate include religion and caste... Survey results show that “Hill Brahmans, Chettris and Newars are the most likely to possess citizenship certificates, whereas Chepangs, Rajbars and Musahars are the least likely. Muslims clearly lag in citizenship acquisition rates relative to other religious groups”.87 Further to this, the survey clearly shows that the acquisition of citizenship is related to caste differences. In particular, “members of the Dalit community state that discrimination by government officials not only prevents them from acquiring a citizenship certificate, but even from attempting to apply at all. Madhesi participants also report frustration and stress due to persistent bias shown by government officials”. 88 The combination of these factors has prevented a number of people from applying for citizenship certificates, or even making the first step towards this by applying to their village development committee/municipality. More specifically, the survey indicates that the most common reason for this is that citizenship certificates matter little in everyday lives. A total of 36.8 percent of individuals have highlighted this reason, as opposed to mere 0.7 percent who did not apply citing the lack of cooperation on behalf of authorities, or to 5.1 per cent (of whom 90 percent were women) who lacked family support. A further 2.6 percent (all women) did not apply as their husbands were away from home. 89 The gender-based discrimination is persistent in the application process, particular as regards the interlinkages between the private and the public sphere through patriarchy. 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 16 Forum for Women, Law and Development (FWLD), Acquisition of Citizenship Certificate in Nepal: Estimation and Projection, December 2015, Kathmandu. Forum for Women, Law and Development (FWLD), Acquisition of Citizenship Certificate in Nepal: Estimating Prevalence, April 2013, Kathmandu. Forum for Women, Law and Development (FWLD), Acquisition of Citizenship Certificate in Nepal: Understanding Trends, Barriers and Impacts, February 2014, Kathmandu. Ibid, pg. 15. Ibid, pg. 20 Ibid, pg. 20 Ibid, pg. 20 Ibid, pg. 20 RSCAS/GLOBALCIT-CR 2017/8 - © 2017 Author