KATHMANDU, Dec 28: Climate crisis is a major problem but developing nations such as Nepal are not committed to manage and carry the burden of such global problems. Despite certain political decisions being made in regards to national climate policy and the political parties backing the issue of climate change and environment in their election manifestoes, implementation of national climate strategies seems a pipedream in Nepal. The Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC)’s framework of the Paris Agreement explicitly allows countries to simultaneously consider national policies and global climate objectives, but often in our communities where climate actions are crucial, the interactions between states are neglected, leading to an unclear picture of the decision-making process in climate change.

Historically the burden and onus of family planning in centered on women. The burden of using and obtaining contraception has always fallen onto women. Be it the variety of contraceptive methods catering to women, to the state’s family planning initiatives – contraception has seemed to become a woman’s problem. Women have to bear the physical, economical, and mental burden of contraception alone. Men often tend to shrink their responsibility for using contraceptives. But why does this happen and what can be done to create a more equal responsibility for contraception? In this concern, Host Kriti Adhikari and guest, Durga Sapkota National Coordinator of Sangat Nepal, and co-founder of YOSAN talk about the onus of contraception on women. How the responsibility of using a contraceptive is vested on the side of women rather than men.

When it comes to masculinity, society is sending a message that men are acculturated into certain ways of behaving, which can later be toxic for them with unsettling emotions. But the constraint on male behavior that society puts on one male should be bold, should repress emotions, should be dominating, tough, and competitive is simply false. This type of character portrayal of men reinforces harmful stereotypes. In this concern, Episode 5 of Sexploration is all about the discussion on 'Toxic Masculinity', its effects, role of media and social institutions with Satish Karn, President of Yuwa(organization), and Manish Maharjan, Executive Member of Yuwa.

Historically, sex work has been stigmatized and discriminated among most societies. Activists have been advocating for the decriminalization of sex work – the removal of the criminal law and the implementation of a rights-based approach to aspects of sex work claiming that it will make the environment for sex workers safer and also reduce levels of violence and exploitation. In this episode of the podcast 'Sexploration', titled ' Decriminalization of sex work, guest Simran Serchan, a transgender activist of the LGBTIQ community who is a National Program Coordinator at the Federation of Sexual and Gender Minorities-Nepal discusses how would society be if sex work is decriminalized.

Although the practice of Chaupadi has been declared illegal in Nepal since 2005, it is still practiced in many communities. Even today, women and girls have to face restrictions on common modern and educated households. Menstruation is stigmatized and shamed. In episode 3 of sexploration season 2, titled 'Modern Chaupadi', two SRHR youth activists Sijan Gelal and Ashirya Pradhan talk about the origins of restrictions and their impact on a modern day.

There is the conflict between 'pro-life' and 'pro-choice' concerning to abortion rights. This has complicated the reproductive rights discussions with endless contradiction. In this Episode of Sexploration, host Kriti Adhikari and guests Shilpa Lamicchane and Sonam Rai have conversations on opposite sides of a polarizing topic because of circumstantial privilege.Here Shilpa talks on behalf of Pro- Choice and Soman Rai talks about Pro- Life.

There is a huge public debate on CSE (Comprehensive Sex Education),the materials and curriculum for students for sex education being considered insufficient and inadequate. Lack of knowledge about sexual and reproductive health and low access to sexual health services have forced young people to engage in unsafe sexual practices in Nepal. In academic institutions, the components of sexuality education have sparked considerable debate, such as teaching approach and content covered. And due to inadequate sexual and reproductive health knowledge, adolescents are at considerable risk of negative health outcomes such as early pregnancy, unsafe abortions, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV, sexual problems, abuse, and violence.

Nelson Mandela once said, “Politics can be strengthened by music, but music has a potency that defies politics.” This is true in the case of the creation of Nepali artist Prakash Neupane. His music portrays the aspirations of the Nepali people and reflects the political turmoil in Nepal.

Virginity is regarded as taboo in most South Asian countries as well as in the Western parts. Cultural and religious traditions place exceptional value and significance on this state, predominantly towards unmarried females, associated with notions of personal purity, honor, and worth. Like chastity, the concept of virginity has traditionally involved sexual abstinence. In this regard, host Kriti Adhikari and guest Riju Dhakal, President of Yuwa, discuss the concept of virginity. Episode 9 of Sexploration talks about Virginity, the Religious History of Virginity, the Medical significance and concept of Virginity, and the Hypocrisy of Virginity.

The cause of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and its effects are multifold. In many parts of the country, low education, prior exposure to parental partner violence during one's childhood, and husband's alcohol abuse have been shown to be associated with the risk of IPV. Similarly, traditional gender norms reinforce aggression and dominance and increase acceptance of partner violence. Our religious grounds, morality, and social norms around masculinity, femininity, male guardianship, and patriarchy, it has a strong influence on acceptance and normalization in the means of controlling women or correcting the behavior of one's partner. Those thoughts of inferiority and traditional mentality also act as a barrier even to the educated personnel.

KATHMANDU, Oct 21: Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection (DoCSCP) has directed hotels, restaurants and bars to include all the applicable charges, VAT and taxes as per the market price in the price menu.

A play titled 'Tantra' written and directed by Bholaraj Sapkota is being presented by Everest Film Academy's acting students at Kunja Theatre, Thapagaun, Kathmandu. The play is being presented from September 5 and will be carried on until September 24 at 5:30 pm except on Monday. Moreover, the play's extra performance is shown on Saturday at 1 pm and 5pm.

In Nepal, there is a number of activism going on to focus on the sexual and reproductive health, rights and education. However, the sexual health knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of people among both educated and uneducated as well as in urban and rural area seems to be narrow. Many people and women do not know that reproductive health rights and education come under their fundamental rights. Nepali society has a deep rooted traditional norms and beliefs relating to sex and sexuality. These issues are rarely discussed within the family environment. Young people who have adequate access/ medium to gather appropriate information and services about sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues do not make effort. Little sex education is offered in schools and SRH are topics not openly discussed in families.

It is said parents are the ultimate role models for their children. This was true in case of Ankit Sharma, the son of well-known Nepali actor and director Ashok Sharma. Following in his father’s footsteps, Ankit chose the film industry for a career. Ankit, now 26, first came to fame in 2019 with the film 'Rato Tika Nidhar Ma'. He started acting as a child, participating in his school plays. "My teachers used to encourage me to participate in various plays and then I became fond of acting," said Ankit. During his days in school, he landed a number of roles in theaters. One of the defining moments in his career was when he played the lead role in the musical drama 'The Lion King' (2010) by Jyoti Man Sherchan in which he played the role of 'Scar'. This not only catapulted him to a sudden fame, but also helped him to decide his future career. Over the years, he also played small roles in other plays such as 'Pied Piper' and 'True West'.

Slowly, my blood turns into alcohol,  Right now, I'm emotional, I know, I know, I know for sure, Until I just didn't know any more, Is it wickedness? Is it a weakness? I can't find the peace,

The Newari festival which marks the death of mythical demon ‘Ghantakarna’ is being celebrated today by the locals of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur.

Apart from these initiatives, planning and warning of the District Administration Office (DAOs), health experts and the government, are the youths aware about this serious issue? Samiksha Shrestha of My City (Republica) talked to a few youths involved in different sectors of Kathmandu and Lalitpur metropolitan cities to find out how aware youths are about the spread of this disease and do they know the preventive measures and what to do if they get infected? Excerpts:

No restaurant dish beats the fresh snacks you make form your kitchen. Check out some mouthwatering snack recipes.

The Kathmandu-based Metal Band 'Warheads Nepal' formed in October 2018 is representing Nepal in the Bangalore Open Air Festival 2022, India’s biggest and dedicated Pure Rock and Heavy metal open air music festival which will be held in December 3.

Regular grooming is important for dogs of all breeds – it helps them maintain a shiny, tangle-free coat and gives you the chance to check for parasite infestations and skin issues, improving their overall hygiene. Plus, grooming can be a one-on-one bonding experience for you and your pet. Grooming is an important part of being a dog parent.