An interaction program was organized to sensitize of women with disabilities on how the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) addresses the issue of women with disabilities. Interaction program was organized by Saathi in coordination with Nepal Disabled Women Association NDWA.

Bandana Rana, a member of the United Nations CEDAW Committee, while facilitating, said that since CEDAW talks about the substantive equality, it covers the issue of violence and discrimination against women with disabilities as well.

‘CEDAW treaty is very important because it talks about discrimination against all women and girls and it is important for everyone to know it”, she said. She also emphasized that why this convention is very powerful, ‘because it is an international law to end all forms of discrimination against women.’

She informed that the CEDAW Committee ask every member states about the results of the Convention, not only the policies but also the results.

In the interaction, Ms. Rana explained about the process about the reporting and monitoring system, she also informed about the process of making a shadow report from the civil society and how to cover their issues effectively.

She also suggested to prepare a separate shadow report for CEDAW covering issues such as accessible and disability friendly structure, meaningful participation, access to justice of women with disabilities.

Nepal ratified CEDAW in April 22, 2091, There are 30 articles in this convention, out of these articles 1 to 16 deal with thematic issues, while the remaining 14 articles deal with administrative matters. Out of 194 only 189 member states of the United Nations have ratified this convention.