BEFORE THE CHANGE

The Nepalese society remains very conservative, with a still very present patriarchy, especially in rural areas. Family, culture, and religion still dictate that young girls should marry and become housewives. In 2021, 90% of marriages were arranged. However, a new generation is emerging, driven by the winds of change and the promise of a different future.

For over a decade, Nepal has experienced a massive migration of its youth to cities and abroad, driven by poverty, corruption, and the inequalities inherited from the caste system. Initially male-dominated, this migration has gradually become feminized. Thanks to the influence of media and social networks, more and more young women are leaving their villages for Kathmandu, in search of work, independence, and an identity of their own. These images delve into the daily lives of these young Nepalese women seeking freedom, often at the cost of precariousness. Some dance to survive, others to exist, all dream of love, of leaving for abroad, and of a better life.

This project resonates with the revolution led by Nepalese Gen-Z, a profound social change where young women are reinventing their place in the world.