The Nepal Disabled Women Association has proudly completed 27 years since its establishment. Initiated from Kathmandu with the core agenda of participation, access, rehabilitation, and empowerment of women with disabilities, this movement has now expanded to more than 45 districts across all seven provinces of Nepal.
Despite the advancement of society and technology, inequalities, various forms of barriers, violence, injustice, and abuse faced by women with disabilities continue to increase. Society still does not seem ready to accept women and girls with disabilities as human beings deserving of humane treatment. Although new incidents of violence and abuse occur every day, strengthening the participation and access of women with disabilities in case registration and judicial processes remains a major challenge. The forms of violence are changing, and among women with disabilities, those with severe and profound disabilities are at even greater risk. Therefore, effective mechanisms must be adopted to enhance their access to justice.
There is an urgent need for rehabilitation services for women with disabilities affected by violence, both from the state and non-governmental sectors. The Nepal Disabled Women Association must also ensure the reconstruction and sustainability of the rehabilitation center it operates for violence-affected, unsupported, and educationally deprived women with disabilities. Due to the increasing demand for rehabilitation or safe shelter, the growing number of survivors, and the need for security, this rehabilitation center must be further strengthened. Additionally, more efforts are required for institutional development and strengthening, as well as expanding access to all 77 districts of the country.
The Association has been continuously advocating and lobbying with the government and concerned stakeholders to ensure education, health services, employment and income-generating opportunities, meaningful participation, rehabilitation, assistive devices, psychosocial counseling, and personal assistance services, particularly for women with severe and profound disabilities.
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to CBM Global Nepal, People in Need, International Commission of Jurists, UN Trust Fund, Womankind Worldwide, National Campaign for Education, the Government of Nepal, the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens, the Bagmati Province Ministry of Social Development, Nepal Police, all organizations active in the field of women’s rights, individuals supporting rehabilitation homes, Rotary Clubs, local governments of all 40 districts, National Federation of the Disabled Nepal and its provincial offices, National Federation of Disabled Women Nepal, various national and international organizations working in the disability sector, disability-based organizations, the private sector, supporters, well-wishers, and donors for their support and trust in the Nepal Disabled Women Association. We also extend our appreciation to the Executive Committee, District Committees, advisors, general members, staff, and volunteers of this organization.
In the coming years, the Nepal Disabled Women Association will further strengthen its initiatives and activism to address the social injustice, discrimination, inequality, exclusion, and barriers faced by women with disabilities by making these issues a nationwide concern. Through advocacy and lobbying, awareness-raising, capacity building, campaigns, coordination, collaboration, and policy-level interventions, we aim to create an environment where women with disabilities can live equitable, accessible, self-reliant, and dignified lives. To achieve these goals, we look forward to the continued support, cooperation, and goodwill of everyone.