Nepal Disabled Women Association (NDWA) has successfully completed the first phase of its training program for Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Response Groups (VRG) and Safety and Wellbeing Defenders (SWD) under the IGNITE project, marking an important step toward strengthening grassroots and district-level responses to gender-based violence affecting women and girls with disabilities.
The initial phase of the training covered Dhanusha, Mahottari, and Siraha districts, where participants engaged in intensive two-day sessions designed to build knowledge, skills, and coordination among key community actors. The sessions were led by Ms. Meena Paudel, Chairperson of NDWA, alongside Ms. Dev Kumari Mahara, Chairperson of Mukti Nepal.
VRGs were formed at the grassroots level in participating palikas, bringing together community leaders, Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs), women human rights defenders (WHRDs), and women from diverse community groups. At the district level, SWDs were established, consisting of women’s rights activists and human rights defenders committed to advancing social wellbeing and protection mechanisms.
The training focused on foundational concepts of disability, including its various types, as well as gender-based violence and its different forms. A key component of the sessions explored the intersection between disability and gender-based violence, highlighting the heightened vulnerabilities faced by women and girls with disabilities.
Participants actively shared experiences from their communities, shedding light on the multiple forms of violence encountered by women and girls with disabilities. Interactive group work and presentations encouraged collaborative learning, while role-play exercises enhanced participants’ practical skills for conducting household visits and community engagement.
A notable feature of the training was the introduction to Kobo Toolbox, a digital data collection tool that participants can use to document cases and improve reporting systems. The second day of training emphasized national laws, policies, and strategies aimed at protecting the rights of persons with disabilities and preventing gender-based violence. Participants were also oriented on district-level referral pathways to ensure survivors can access appropriate services and support.
Many participants highlighted the uniqueness and importance of the initiative. While programs targeting marginalized and Dalit women are more common, they noted that this was the first time a training specifically addressed the needs and rights of women and girls with disabilities.
NDWA officials emphasized that the training aims not only to build knowledge but also to transform community perceptions and strengthen local systems of support. By equipping both grassroots groups and district-level defenders, the IGNITE project seeks to create a more inclusive, responsive, and rights-based approach to addressing violence against women and girls with disabilities.
The organization plans to expand the training to additional districts in the coming phases, further advancing its mission to ensure dignity, safety, and equal opportunities for all women and girls with disabilities across Nepal.
“There is a different perspective of community people towards people with intellectual disabilities and mental and psychosocial disabilities. They are not involved in social gatherings, not sent to schools and aren’t hired for jobs. People think they aren’t capable of anything. This program will help to change the perception of the people.”