The parliamentarians have expressed their commitment to initiate to implement the laws, policies and rules made for the rights of the person with disabilities.

Program organized by Nepal disabled Women Association(NDWA) collaboration with CBM Global, in Kathmandu on the role of parliamentarians in the implementation of the laws and policies related to person with disabilities, they said that although the laws are good to ensure the rights of the person with disabilities but there are problems in implementation.

The parliamentarians said that since there are gaps and inconsistencies between the Constitution, Act and the regulations, a discussion between the stakeholders is very necessary to improve and solve this problem.

Member of Parliament Ms. Ranju Thakur said that it is necessary to sensitize the leaders of major parties on the issues of person with disabilities. She said that they will take the initiative to make a provision for person with disabilities to their compulsory participation in the upcoming elections at the local level in the election law which is under discussion in the parliament.

Ms. Garima Shah a member of parliament promised to raise the questions raised by them for the rights of person with disabilities. She also expressed her commitment to discuss with the stakeholders working in the field of disability and make the necessary amendments for the reform of the law.

MP Ms.Nagina Yadav said that she will raise her voice within the party and in Parliament to include the issues of person with disabilities rights in every bill that comes to parliament. She informed that the draft regulation of the House of Representatives is under discussion and promised to raise the issue of women with disabilities through this cell, which they raised their voice to put a provision of women’s cell in the regulation.

Gyanendra Shahi, member of parliament expressed his determination to raise his voice in the parliament for the economic empowerment of person with disabilities and if needed he also has to whip on such sensitive issues.

Lakshmi Ghimire, Member of Parliament of Bagmati Province of RPP, said that she had come to the Parliament to raise her voice in favour of disabilities issues. She also shared her experience of being discriminated in the Parliament as well.

The parliamentarians said that since there is a problem in the implementation of the laws in the country, the relevant stakeholders should continue to discuss through similar programs.

In the program, rights activists in the field of disability rights suggested to be sensitive to the issue of disabilities and diversity within it.

They requested to ensure that the rights provided by the constitution and laws are ensured for person with disabilities while making plans, policies and budgets. Also, they suggested to the parliamentarians to put pressure on the arrangement of a separate cluster for the political participation of person with disabilities.

They said that political certainty can be secured only if there is provision in the Election Act for the compulsory political participation of person with disabilities from the local level through the state to the federal level.

Tika Dahal, president of Nepal Disabled Women Association NDWA, said that people with disabilities as a whole are leaving the concept of political, economic, social and cultural inclusion ensured by the constitution and urged the parliamentarians to be sensitive to such issues.

Mina Poudel, Vice President of Nepal Disabled Women Association, presented a working paper on national and international laws related to person with disabilities, women and children with disabilities, the arrangements, weaknesses and aspects of improvement. General Secretary Dev Kumari Parajuli requested to give priority to the issue of disability rights in the matter of inclusion.

Bimal Paudel from CBM Global said that the establishment of support mechanisms to ensure the empowerment of person with disabilities, addressing the disability in policy, programs and budgets and addressing the issues of intersectionality within the disability is necessary. He emphasized that even though there are separate laws for disabled people, the issue of person with disabilities should be included in all policies and laws.

At least 40 people including 14 MPs from Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, CPN-Maoist Center, Rashtriya Prajatantra Party, United Socialist Party, Janmat Party and other parties and rights activists working in the field of disability rights participated in the program.