SURKHET: Rights activists in Surkhet have called for the effective implementation of the national policy on persons with disabilities.
During an interaction organized by the Federation of Parents of Intellectual Disability, Nepal, in collaboration with UNPRPD and UNDP in Birendranagar, participants emphasized the need for robust policy enforcement to enhance accessibility for persons with disabilities across all sectors.
Mukunda Hari Dahal, former president of the Federation and an advocate, outlined the provisions of the National Policy on Persons with Disabilities 2023, highlighting its potential to improve access and inclusion for persons with disabilities. He stressed the importance of strengthening the policy’s implementation.
Participants also highlighted the need for a separate act for persons with disabilities in Karnali province. Surya Bhattarai, Chief of Koshish Nepal Surkhet, argued that the national policy alone cannot fully represent the needs of all communities, underscoring the importance of a localized policy for Karnali.
Disability rights activist Suresh Khadka advocated for the policy to be legally binding, emphasizing the need for effective implementation. Meanwhile, Ashish Adhikari, President of the Blind Youth Association in Surkhet, urged the provincial government to ensure free education and equal participation for persons with disabilities.
Man Bahadur Karki, an officer at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Karnali Province, pointed out the lack of accessible infrastructure in government buildings. He noted that the NHRC is actively studying and advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities.
Responding to these concerns, Karnali Province Minister for Social Development, Ghanashyam Bhandari, pledged to formulate a separate policy for persons with disabilities in the province.
The National Policy on Persons with Disabilities, endorsed by the Council of Ministers in December 2023, aims to create an inclusive and equitable system across all three tiers of government. It focuses on legal arrangements, institutional reforms, capacity building, and making physical infrastructure, transportation, resources, and information technology accessible to persons with disabilities.
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