“Orientation on Economic Rights and Existing Provisions for Women with Disabilities"- Kathmandu

9th and 10th August 2024, Kathmandu

Access Planet Organization, in partnership with the Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law, and Development (APWLD), conducted an orientation program titled "Orientation Program on Economic and Existing Provisions for Women with Disabilities" at Sital Chautari Restaurant, Kathmandu. The program aimed to empower 19 women with disabilities in Kathmandu district by enhancing their understanding of economic rights and relevant legal provisions. Laxmi Nepal, Executive Director of Access Planet, and Mamata Subedi, Program Officer, led the orientation, with facilitation from experts; Debendra Pokhrel from Cocina Mitho Chha, Rashmi Rai, employment coordinator at Kathmandu Metropolitan City, and Keshav Acharya from Prabhu Management.

Objectives:

• To empower participants with knowledge about economic rights for women with disabilities by outlining key provisions from the Act Relating to Rights of Persons with Disabilities (ARPD) 2017, specifically focusing on employment opportunities and related provisions.
• To explore local economic opportunities available to women with disabilities
• To identify challenges and issues faced by women with disabilities in accessing their economic rights.
• To equip participants with advocacy skills and strategies to effectively advocate for the economic rights of women with disabilities.
• To develop actionable advocacy plans for promoting economic rights for women with disabilities at the local level.

The following sessions were conducted during the orientation:

1. Linkage between Women's Rights and Economic Rights
2. Sharing economic Opportunities at the Local Level by Debendra Pokhrel
3. Act Relating to Rights of Persons with Disabilities (ARPD) 2017 and relevant sections pertaining to economic rights and employment opportunities
4. Sharing economic Opportunities at the Local Level by Ms. Rashmi Rai
5. Sharing economic opportunities available at the local level by Mr. Keshav Raj Acharya
6. Economic Rights of Women with Disabilities: Identifying Issues on economic rights of women with disabilities
7. Building Advocacy Skills and Strategies
8. Advocacy Action Plan

Outputs:

• Increased Understanding and Knowledge: Participants gained a deeper understanding of the linkage between women's rights and economic empowerment and enhanced knowledge of the relevant provisions of the Accessible Rights for Persons with Disabilities (ARPD) 2017.
• Review of Economic Challenges: The session involved a comprehensive review and discussion of the economic challenges faced by women with disabilities in the local context.
• Development of Advocacy Skills: Participants developed essential advocacy skills, including effective communication and negotiation techniques, and formulated advocacy action plans.