Submission of Amendment Proposal of Act Relating to Rights of Persons with Disabilities from gender lenses to Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizen

Conducted on 2 July 2025

A collective of organizations of women with disabilities, led by Access Planet Organization, has formally submitted a proposal to the government to amend the Act Relating to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2074, with an emphasis on integrating gender perspectives. Acknowledging the double discrimination faced by women with disabilities in Nepal on the basis of both gender and disability, the proposal calls for a gender-sensitive approach in the amendment process. Key participating organizations included the Nepal Disabled Women Association, Federation of Women with Disabilities, Blind Women Association Nepal, and Prayatna Nepal.

Objectives of the Amendment Proposal Submission

• To advocate for gender-sensitive reforms in the Act Relating to Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2074, ensuring that the specific needs and rights of women and girls with disabilities are addressed.
• To propose concrete legislative changes that reflect the lived experiences of women with disabilities, including intersectional discrimination based on gender, disability, and sexual orientation.
• To initiate dialogue with government stakeholders and ensure their commitment to inclusive and rights-based legal amendments.

During a meeting with government officials, Access Planet Organization and partners submitted a gender-focused proposal to amend the Act Relating to Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2074. Laxmi Nepal, Executive Director of Access Planet, highlighted the need to include gender in discrimination clauses, emphasizing the intersecting marginalization faced by women and girls with disabilities, including LGBTIQ+ individuals. She proposed violence prevention in schools and shelters, a mandatory private sector employment quota of one person with a disability per 25 employees, and gender-disaggregated political rights. The Nepal Disabled Women Association stressed women’s full legal rights over parental property, while the Federation of Women with Disabilities called for addressing gender-based violence and improving access to justice. Joint Secretary Gyanmani Ghimire appreciated the proposal, affirmed the ongoing amendment process, and committed to collaborative review with stakeholders.

Output

• A formal submission of an amendment proposal to the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens, led by Access Planet and supported by other women led OPDs.
• Commitment from ministry officials to review and consider the proposed amendments, with an acknowledgment of the long-term nature of the amendment process.