Nepal Disabled Women Association (NDWA), with support from the Disability Rights Advocacy Fund (DRF), officially launched a local-level mentorship initiative through an initial coordination meeting in Janaknandini Rural Municipality, Dhanusha. The program aims to strengthen the leadership, advocacy, and networking capacity of women and girls with disabilities by pairing trained legal and community advocates with grassroots women’s groups.
The meeting marked the beginning of the Mentorship Program under the Empowered Justice Project, bringing together persons with disabilities, local government representatives, and community stakeholders to foster collaboration for disability-inclusive development. A total of 22 participants attended the event, including 5 women and 17 men. Among them, 14 participants had physical disabilities and 3 had intellectual disabilities, alongside municipal representatives and other stakeholders.
The coordination meeting introduced participants to the objectives and activities of the Empowered Justice Project, as well as NDWA’s ongoing efforts to promote disability rights, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), and the prevention and response to Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Participants also learned about the mentorship model, which will provide continuous guidance, practical support, leadership coaching, and peer learning opportunities for women and girls with disabilities.
During the session, facilitators explained the selection process for mentors and mentees and outlined their expected roles in promoting disability rights and leading advocacy initiatives at the community level. Participants also worked in groups to identify barriers faced by persons with disabilities, including challenges in accessing public services, gaps in disability-inclusive service delivery, and opportunities to strengthen collaboration with local government.
The discussions revealed persistent challenges experienced by persons with disabilities in the municipality. Participants shared that they are rarely included in municipal planning and decision-making processes, continue to face limited access to assistive devices and disability-related support services, and regularly encounter stigma and discriminatory attitudes that undermine their confidence and participation in community life.
Despite these challenges, participants expressed optimism about the mentorship initiative. They recognized that regular mentoring would enhance their understanding of disability rights, SRHR, and GBV, while strengthening their leadership skills, confidence, and ability to advocate for inclusive policies and services. The program was also seen as an important opportunity to build stronger networks among women and girls with disabilities and promote collective advocacy at the local level.
The meeting also strengthened coordination between the municipality, particularly the Women and Children Section, and persons with disabilities, creating an inclusive platform for dialogue and future collaboration. Potential mentors and mentees were identified and will be formally engaged as the mentorship program progresses.
The coordination meeting concluded with a shared commitment from participants and local stakeholders to work together in advancing disability-inclusive planning, increasing budget allocation for persons with disabilities, and ensuring the meaningful participation of women and girls with disabilities in local governance and decision-making. Through this mentorship initiative, NDWA aims to nurture a new generation of local disability advocates who can champion inclusive development, influence public policy, and ensure that the voices of women and girls with disabilities are heard and respected in their communities.