Sex, we are born with. Gender, however, is a social construct. Except, in Nepali society, that simple fact is NOT understood very well, mainly because of our very patriarchal and misogynistic society, and abysmally poor quality of education. But here's an opportunity for you to challenge and question your Nepali-culture inculcated ideas of what constitutes the female gender.
A Grade 8 Social Studies textbook has nothing on the one system that has defined and shaped our society and is responsible for, directly or indirectly, many -- if not most or even ALL -- of the social, economic, and political problems our country faces, hindering its progress: the caste system! And the reason? It's a "small" issue!
Lack of basic science literacy and the desire and tendency to copy western cultural practice has lead to, in Nepal, adoption of some questionable practices. This particular one is the celebration of birthdays but with Roman candles on the cake and use of foam spray even in the presence of naked flame! Why are they an issue? Roman candles contain toxic chemicals and canister sprays, in the presence of naked flame, is highly highly flammable!
Short history of the way the education system evolved with the introduction of private schools and even a private University from after 1980. Sadly, education was NOT valued as a means to acquire knowledge and skills, but for the paper degrees. Besides, the institutions themselves struggled to provide quality education -- many imparted no more than just the most basic of skills, that of memorization and regurgitation -- as they mostly functioned as for-profit businesses.
Leaving Nepal, I discovered a number of things about myself -- such as my versatile tongue and the exoticness of my facial features -- many of which I probably would not have, had I never left the country. Here are a few of them.