21 Years Without Any Citizenship: Kumar Joshi’s Journey to Legal Identity in Nepal

For 21 years, Kumar Joshi lived without a citizenship certificate, facing barriers that affected nearly every aspect of his life.

Without legal identity, he was unable to continue his education, access employment opportunities, obtain banking and government services, or travel abroad. Despite a Supreme Court decision in his favor, it took several more years before he finally received his citizenship certificate.

Today, Kumar is using his experience to advocate for the rights of children and young people who still lack legal identity. As the leader of a Legal Identity Advocacy Group, he continues to raise awareness and encourage action so that no one is left behind.

His story reminds us that legal identity is more than a document, it is a gateway to rights, opportunities, and dignity.