The Nepal Disabled Women Association (NDWA) has released a comprehensive position statement highlighting critical issues facing women and girls with disabilities across the country and calling for urgent action from government and development partners.
Key Findings
Our research reveals that women with disabilities continue to face significant barriers in accessing basic services including healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. The intersectionality of gender and disability creates unique challenges that require targeted interventions.
- Only 23% of girls with disabilities complete primary education
- Women with disabilities face 5x higher rates of gender-based violence
- Economic participation rates are critically low at 8%
- Healthcare access remains inadequate in rural areas
NDWA's Recommendations
The position statement includes specific recommendations for policy reform across multiple sectors:
Education Sector
We urge the Ministry of Education to develop inclusive curricula, train teachers on disability inclusion, and ensure physical accessibility in all schools. Scholarships should be made available for girls with disabilities.
Health Sector
Healthcare facilities must be made physically accessible and staff trained to provide disability-sensitive services. Sexual and reproductive health information must be made available in accessible formats.
Employment & Economic Empowerment
Vocational training programs should be tailored for women with disabilities. Tax incentives should encourage private sector employment. Microfinance schemes should have dedicated quotas for women with disabilities.
Collaborative Approach
NDWA emphasizes that addressing these issues requires a collaborative approach involving government agencies, civil society organizations, private sector, international development partners, and most importantly, women and girls with disabilities themselves as decision-makers.