सपना चौधरी

सपना चौधरीको जन्म २०२४ सालमा बर्दियाको बासगढी नगरपालिकामा भएको थियो । त्यतिबेला तराईमा कमैया प्रथा व्याप्त थियो । यस प्रणालीबाट बन्धनमा बाँधिएकी थारू परिवारबाट आएकी सापनाले आफ्नो बाल्यकालको अधिकांश दिन स्कूल भन्दा खेतमा बिताएकी थिइन्। किशोरावस्थामा उनले आफूलाई तेस्रोलिंगी भएको महसूस गरिन । यसकै कारण उनलाई घरपरिवार साथै समाजबाट पनि बहिस्कार गरियो |

२०६३ सालमा सपनाले नेपालगन्जको ब्लु डायमण्ड सोसाइटीमा आवद्ध भएपछि आधारभूत वाक्य पढ्न, लेख्न र कम्प्युटर सञ्चालन गर्न सिकेकी हुन् । त्यसबेलादेखि उनी लिङ्ग र सशक्तिकरणसँग सम्बन्धित वकालतमा सक्रियता पूर्वक संलग्न छिन्। उनी एलजीबीटीक्यूआई, एचआईभी एड्स, यौन तथा शारीरिक स्वास्थ्य र मानव अधिकारको अर्थबारे एलजीबीटीक्यूआई समुदायलाई जानकारी र शिक्षा दिन्छिन्।

सपना भन्छिन् “एलजीबीटीक्यूआई विषयहरूको बारेमा मानिसहरूलाई शिक्षित र सचेत गराउन मैले थुप्रै संघहरूसँग काम गर्ने अवसरहरू प्राप्त गरेकोमा म गर्व गर्छु। अहिले म आफ्नै लागि कमाउने भएकोले मेरो परिवारले मलाई मलाई स्वीकारेको छ”, ।

Sapana Chaudhary was born in Basgadhi municipality, Bardiya in 2034 B.S, at a time when Kamaiya (bonded labour) system was still prevalent in Tarai. Coming from a Tharu family who was bonded by the system, Sapana spent most of her childhood days in the fields rather than a school. During her teenage years, she realized that she identified herself as a third gender, and for this very reason, she was bullied and backlashed from society as well as her father.

In 2063 B.S., Sapana learnt to read and write basic sentences and operate a computer after joining Blue Diamond Society in Nepaljung. Since then, she is actively engaged in advocacy related to gender and empowerment. She informs and educates LGBTQI communities on the meaning of being an LGBTQI, HIV AIDS, sexual and physical health, and human rights.

“I feel proud that I have been receiving opportunities to work with numerous associations to educate and aware people regarding LGBTQI issues. Now that I also earn for my own living, my family has accepted me as I am”, says Sapana.