Citizens’ Perspectives on Public Opinion Formation, Political Parties, and Leadership (2082)

This survey offers a comparative analysis of public opinion across Madhesh Province, Lumbini Province, and the Kathmandu Valley. It examines evolving sources of information, patterns of opinion formation, and citizens’ perceptions of political leadership, governance, and constitutional reform.

The findings indicate a growing influence of social media relative to traditional news outlets, alongside a marked decline in public trust in political parties. There is an increasing demand for change in political leadership—both within established parties and beyond them. Although dissatisfaction with ongoing government instability remains widespread, there is notable public support for constitutional amendments.

The results reflect a strong call for renewed leadership and a continued commitment among citizens to exercise their voting rights, in hopes of achieving accountable and effective political governance.

Connected but Fragmented: The State of Internet Governance in Nepal

This publication is an occasional paper of Purak Asia. It presents findings from study into the current state of Nepal’s internet governance ecosystem. It identifies key actors, their roles in policy making and impact, and interrelations between these actors. This report seeks to understand the various factors and dynamics that influence Nepal’s policy making around internet use, shape public dialogue, and identify avenues where stakeholders can make impactful contributions.

Understanding Misinformation in Nepal: Expert Views on Definitions, Determinants, Solutions and Way Forward

This occasional paper by Purak Asia explores how experts in Nepal define and interpret misinformation, why people believe and share it, and what interventions may work to counter its spread. Based on insights from a nationwide survey of journalists, policymakers, legal experts, educators, and digital rights advocates, the study highlights the growing influence of social media and political actors in shaping false narratives, the societal risks posed by misinformation, and the urgent need for evidence-based solutions. It provides critical insights for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to strengthen Nepal’s information ecosystem.

State, Citizens and Landlessness at the Margins of Western Nepal

State, Citizens and Landlessness at the Margins of Western Nepal explores how land ownership shapes citizenship, belonging, and livelihood. In Nepal, widespread landlessness, particularly among marginalized groups undermines equal rights and fosters insecurity. These challenges are most acute in border regions, where land tenure influences both everyday citizenship and national sovereignty. Drawing on research in Khangra, Dang, the study demonstrates how the neglect of these areas deepens inequality and threatens state integrity, underscoring the urgent need for inclusive land and citizenship policies in borderland

Annotated Bibliography on Food Sovereignty in Nepal

The Annotated Bibliography on Food Sovereignty in Nepal compiles annotations of summaries of journal articles, research papers, and books that shape debates on food sovereignty nationally and globally. The publication explores issues such as climate change, resilience strategies, evolving food system narratives, and the links between food scarcity, migration, and conflict. Designed as a practical reference, it is a valuable resource for students, researchers, and practitioners.

Economic Opportunity Survey: Gandaki 2082

This survey examines the current landscape of economic opportunities in Gandaki Province, focusing on employment, business, and investment. It captures the lived experiences and perceptions of citizens regarding the broader environment for investment, entrepreneurship, and job creation across Nepal.

The findings reveal that many respondents view the national investment climate as unfavorable for new ventures. Many reported challenges in finding employment that matches their educational qualifications, underscoring a persistent gap between formal education and labor market demands. Additionally, there was an overwhelming agreement that limited domestic opportunities are driving today’s youth to seek employment abroad.

Public Service and Good Governance Survey: Gandaki 2082

This survey captures the perspectives of citizens in Gandaki Province on the quality of public services, the state of governance, and the performance of government institutions. It also assesses the degree to which local democracy is participatory and inclusive.

The findings indicate that while satisfaction with services provided by local government offices is relatively high, significant concerns remain regarding governance. Many citizens perceive a persistent culture of irregularities and a lack of accountability among those in positions of power. The study also underscores the fragile state of essential checks and balance mechanisms that are critical for ensuring transparency, integrity, and trust in governance.

Citizen Dissatisfaction Survey – Gandaki 2082

The survey explores the issues that citizens in Gandaki Province are dissatisfied with, the underlying causes of this dissatisfaction, and the ways in which it is expressed. In doing so, it aims to offer insights into how democratic governance is perceived and evaluated by the general public.

The survey findings reveal that the main causes of citizen dissatisfaction include a lack of overall economic opportunities, large-scale youth migration abroad, and entrenched institutional corruption. The respondents expressed major dissatisfaction with the political parties, the parliament and the federal and provincial government. Despite their dissatisfaction with the major players in the democratic system, they voiced clear intent to find a democratic solution: by changing their vote in the upcoming elections.

Right to Food and Food Sovereignty Act 2075 - Status of Implementation and Legal Provisions

This status paper reviews the implementation of the Right to Food Act, highlighting significant gaps in enforcement, including the lack of a functional compensation mechanism and limited farmer participation in policy-making. Forced evictions of marginalized communities and legal overlaps further undermine food rights. Despite a decade of federalism, provincial and local governments struggle to disseminate and clarify food-related laws. While some local initiatives exist, they often lack inclusivity, transparency, and fairness, with allegations of political bias weakening their impact.

Compilation of Selected Landmark Human Rights Decisions in Asia

This publication presents twenty pivotal judicial decisions from across Asia, selected to reflect the region’s legal diversity and the dynamic evolution of fundamental rights. From civil political rights, economic, social, and cultural rights, climate, and transitional justice, these cases offer a compelling window into the continent’s evolving human rights jurisprudence. This report equips legal practitioners, scholars, and advocates with a practical reference and inspires those leading strategic and public interest litigation.

Voices of Discontent:

The report Voices of Discontent: A Case Study of Gandaki Province, published by the Centre for Social Change, with the support of Purak Asia, explores the dimensions, manifestations, and consequences of citizen dissatisfaction in Gandaki Province of Nepal. This report analyzes qualitative findings gathered from 156 respondents across five districts (Mustang, Myagdi, Kaski, Gorkha, and Nawalpur) from the Gandaki Province of Nepal. Through lived experiences and grassroots perspectives, this study reveals how systemic challenges impact trust in institutions and outlines pathways for more responsive, accountable, and inclusive governance in Nepal.

Elections and Democracy in Nepal:

This publication is the first of the occasional paper series of Purak Asia. It offers a comparative view on the progress made or the lack thereof in the four subsequent elections in the last 14 years in Nepal. The writers use the five pillar interactive election framework on the two elections for the Constituent Assembly in 2008 and 2013 and the elections for the House of Representatives in 2017 and 2022 to see whether and how elections have helped in the maturing of democracy in Nepal.

Comments are closed.

Close Search Window