Meera Dhungana is one of Nepal’s most respected legal advocates and a pioneer in the fight for Gender Justice. Born and raised in Nepal her early life was shaped by witnessing everyday gender discrimination both inside and outside home. From a young age, she was troubled by the cultural and legal inequalities that denied women equal right .These early experiences became the foundation for her lifelong commitment to advocating for women’s rights and legal reform.
She pursued a degree in law (L.L.B), In Nepal and later became a Practicing advocate, specializing the constitutional and Human rights law. She emerged as a leading voice in Nepal’s Legal reform movement, particularly through her work with the Forum for Women, Law and Development (FWLD), where she served as chairperson. Through FWLD she led public interest litigations that challenged discriminatory laws and helped push for legal recognition of women’s equal rights in property, inheritance, nationality and protection from violence. Her lifelong legal activism has not only transformed the lives of countless Nepali women but also set a powerful example for Future.
A strategic thinker linking legal action with broader Advocacy Marital Rape is a crime in Nepal under the Muluki Criminal Code 2074. The law recognizes non-consensual sex in marriage as rape. Her work centers around Gender Equality And Legal Reform, with deeply rooted expertise in areas such as: Inheritance law (e.g. ensuring daughters have equal property rights), Citizenship law (enabling mothers to transmit citizenship to their children), Gender Based Violence (including criminalizing marital rape), social security and anti-discrimination law (e.g. protecting widows and persons with disabilities). A fearless Litigator contribute during the 2058 B.S., Marital Rape recognized as crime. Advocate Meera Dhungana made a significant legal contribution by filing a Writ Petition against the Discriminatory Dowry Provision in Nepal’s Social Events (REFORM) Act, 2033 B.S. (SAMAJIK PARAMPARA SUDHAR AIN). In 2068 B.S., advocate DHUNGANA actively advocated for Gender – Equal Citizenship Laws. After long time, in 2072, Meera Dhungana’s contributions were crucial in shaping how Nepal’s New Constitution addressed Gender Justice.
MEERA DHUNGANA Remains an active and effective Senior Advocate in the Supreme Court. Her contributions Remain Central to Gender – Justice Jurisprudence and legal development in Nepal.
Meera Dhungana is a senior advocate and renowned Public interest litigator in Nepal. She has contributed to several landmark Supreme court cases, especially focused on Gender equality, Women’s rights, and constitutional Justice. Below are key cases where Meera Dhungana contributed, often as the Petitioner or Advocate.
- Meera Dhungana vs. Honourable Majesty Government (HMG), 2052
Writ Petitioner: ADV. Meera Dhungana
Respondent: His Majesty Government, Minister of Law, justice and others
Case: Equality on Parental Property/Daughter Right On Parental Property
Decision Number: 7357
Fact: Muluki Ain Number 16 of Chapter of Partition States that only the Daughter who has not married till 35 years of age shall be entitled to partition share over the ancestral property as that of son. But if she gets married after the partition Share, She has to return all her share left after covering her marriage expenses. As this provision was contrary to right to equality guaranteed under Article 11 of Constitution of Kingdom of Nepal and various International treaties to which Nepal is a party, the writ filed for the purpose of declaring the provision void.
Decision of Supreme Court: Issued directive order to purpose appropriate bill in this regard within 1 year to government of Nepal on the basis of discussion made with women group, sociologists, Civil society, legal expert but didn’t declare the provision void. Later 11th amendment of Muluki Ain, 2020 made such a provision to establish equal parental rights of women.
- Meera Dhungana vs. HmG (Supreme Court Bulletin, Vl.5 at 13-21, 2059)
This is the landmark case to define Rape under the Marital Rape. The Supreme Court has ordered government to amend law of Rape including Marital Rape as an Offence of Rape. Declared marital rape as punishable offence and initially imposed punishment of 3 to 6 months imprisonment but after Jit Kumar Pangeni v. Government of Nepal it was increased to 3 years and it has been increased upto 5 years of imprisonment by Muluki Criminal Code, 2074. The dimension of Rape has been changed in Nepal after this case.
