At a time when the issue of citizenship of the children of single mothers is being intensely debated and instances of abuse and domestic violence against women fills the newspapers, Feby Boediarto explores the relationship between Nepali fathers and their daughters through these striking black-and-white images. What are the expectations of daughters from their parents, society and themselves? Boediarto is from Pitzer College in the United States, and spent four months studying abroad in Nepal last year researching the role of daughters and the rise of sex-selective abortion in Kathmandu. Chhori Shakti is her photography project in which she did photo shoots with 11 fathers who were all asked: “Why are you proud of your daughter?” Answers ranged from a few sentences to lengthy paragraphs, but the glow in a father’s eyes as he described his love for his daughter inspired Boediarto to learn the great value placed on a daughter’s role in Nepal. She says: “It was a blessing to witness the exceptional love and hope a father has for his daughter.”
My grandmother raised me, my mother gave birth to me, my wife guides me, my daughter gives me happiness and prosperity.
I am proud of my daughter because she is innocent and does not have any preconceived notions. She appreciates my role as her father. I am determined to help her grow her interest and curiousness.
My daughter has been staying at my home for four to five months. She enjoys the Sirutar village and interacts with the family with love. I always wish her success.
In our society, according to our traditions, people put sons first than daughters. I love both equally. According to traditions, daughters are the form of Lakshmi.
In our traditions the daughter is the form of Lakshmi. Without a daughter in the home, there is no beauty, therefore the society gives love and respect to daughters.
I am proud to have a daughter. Our society today discriminates daughters, but whatever the son can do the daughter can do that work. I am proud that daughters have kind hearts. They are understanding.
Daughters have good habits. They can actually do better, but because of the lack of study environment, they don’t.
Daughters are more sensitive. Daughters will take care of their parents in the future.
In our Hindu culture and tradition, the daughter is the goddess Lakshmi. Daughters love their parents more than sons do, but they do not get the right properties from their parents. They go to their husband‘s home with empty hands, therefore I need to give love to my daughter. We have to equally love sons and daughters. I am proud of having a daughter.
I am proud of having a daughter as a family member. We get more love from daughters. Daughters and sons are both important, but daughters are more capable and sensitive to take care of their parents.
Nowadays, daughters are like sons. They do more effective work than boys. Daughters will take care of their parents more than sons. Whatever we earn now, we earn for the future of the daughter. Daughters are the property of their parents.
© 2026 Nepali Times
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