Nepal Disabled Women Association NDWA organized a learning and experience-sharing program during lobby and advocacy in Budhanilkanth Municipality of Kathmandu. In collaboration with CBM Global Disability Inclusion, NDWA implemented an advocacy program in Budanilkanth Municipality from 2021 to 2023.

NDWA is planning a program against gender violence in the municipality in the coming days.

This event is organized to discuss the learning and challenges experienced by the NDWA while doing advocacy within the municipality and the collaboration that can be done further.

In the discussion, Anita Lama, Deputy Mayor of Budhanilkanth Municipality informed that advocacy by the NDWA it was possible that the issue of disability has been addressed in the policy and program of the municipality for the fiscal year 2080/081, and some budget has been arranged.

She admitted that although she was sensitive and positive about the issue of persons with disabilities, and even though there was a policy and a budget arrangement, it could not be implemented and shown in practice the way they are sensitive.

She also informed that the help desk for persons with disabilities has been established in the municipality and an elevator will be arranged soon. She further said that all the 13 ward offices within the municipality have been directed to make disability-friendly structures and all the structures to be built within the municipality will be made accessible and disability-friendly.

In that program, the ward presidents said that they would allocate the budget in this area after discussing with the stakeholders working in the field of disability.

Tulsiram Aryal, Chief Administrative Officer of Budhanilkanth Municipality, said that it is a challenge to keep statistics of persons with disability in the municipality.

Tika Dahal, chairperson of the NWDA, said that they will collaborate with the municipality in the upcoming program against GBV with advocacy.

In the discussion, Ganga Devkota, the project coordinator, presented the work areas, achievements, activities, and challenges of the project carried out from 2021 to 2023. She also presented the expectations and plans for the program for the future.