Kathmandu, Feb. 11 -- A proposal by Nepal's Immigration Department requiring consent from a guardian and local government for women under the age of 40 to travel abroad has sparked public fury, and is taken as yet another proof of a misogynist, bungling bureaucracy.

The Department made the recommendation to the Home Ministry on Wednesday, saying it was needed to curb the trafficking ofNepali women without labour permits,especially to the Gulf countries.

However, instead of clamping down on the 'setting' and collusion between recruiters, immigration officials and foreign-based agents to curb trafficking, the restrictions overlook womens' agency in making decisions, their freedom to travel and work.

Teknarayan Poudel at the Immigration D...