Interaction with Local Government on Way Forward for Disability Inclusive Development and Enhancing Access to Justice for Girls and Women with Disabilities at the Local Level in Koshi Province

Access Planet Organization, with support from Women Fund Asia (Leading from the South - LFS), organized a half-day interaction program on March 23, 2025 at Sundarharaicha Municipality with participation from Belbari Municipality as well. The event brought together over 40 participants, including deputy mayors, chief administrative officers, judicial committee members, and representatives from various departments and disability coordination committees.

Objectives:

• To orient the local government on disability inclusive development and the issues of access to justice for girls and women with disabilities

In the program, Laxmi Nepal, executive director of Access Planet, presented key findings from earlier consultations, highlighting legal provisions, major barriers to justice, and recommendations to make justice systems more accessible for girls and women with disabilities. Participants shared personal experiences and challenges—such as lack of accessible infrastructure, low awareness, absence of sign language interpreters, and delayed justice—and emphasized the urgent need for disability-friendly policies and systems at the local level. The program included open interaction and concluded with a formal handover of a manifesto outlining local-level commitments to disability-inclusive development and access to justice. Representatives from both municipalities expressed their dedication to improving inclusion efforts. Belbari Municipality highlighted collaborations with various organizations to create disability profiles and networks, while Sundarharaicha officials shared plans for inclusive education, assistive devices, and awareness programs. The event fostered dialogue between local authorities and women with disabilities, reinforcing the shared responsibility to build inclusive governance and legal systems.

Outcomes 

• The local government representatives, including the members of the judicial committees were sensitized on the issues of access to justice of girls and women with disabilities
• Commitments were gathered from the local government representatives on more investments and programs for disability inclusion and enhancing access to justice at the local level
• The interaction paved further pathway for disability-inclusive development at the local level