Advocacy Interaction program among stakeholders on Inclusive education and issues of girls and young women with disabilities in access to technology_Lumbini

19^th January, 2024

Lamahi, Dang, Lumbini Province

Access Planet Organization in support of the Disability Rights Fund conducted an "Advocacy Interaction Program with the provincial stakeholders of Lumbini Province on the issue of inclusive education and access to technology for girls and young women with disabilities". The interaction program was conducted on 19^th of January at Lamahi Dang. The program had the presence of 53 participants including government representatives from provincial and local governments from Lumbini Province and nearby local governments, education-related stakeholders, and organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs). The main aim of the interaction was to highlight the challenges faced by girls and young women with disabilities and gather support from different stakeholders to enhance quality education and technology access.

Objectives:

1. Raise awareness and sensitize stakeholders about challenges faced by girls and young women with disabilities in inclusive education and technology access.
2. Advocate for inclusive policies and gather commitments from provincial and local stakeholders.
3. Facilitate open dialogue and information sharing for impactful advocacy and effective implementation.

The event, organized by Access Planet Organization, began with an introduction and overview presented by Executive Director Laxmi Nepal and Vice-president Srijana Dhakal. The presentations addressed challenges faced by girls and young women with disabilities in accessing education and assistive technology in Lumbini Province. Speakers from the Education Development Directorate and the Department of Social Development highlighted statistics, scholarship distribution, and budget allocation for disability-related programs in the province. A variety of stakeholders, including disability rights advocates, teachers, and students, raised concerns during the open interaction session. The Access Planet Organization presented a manifesto reflecting collective aspirations, which was handed over to government stakeholders. Commitments were made by government representatives to address issues such as inclusive education, budget allocation, and coordination between different levels of government. The event concluded with a vote of thanks and expressions of hope for future collaboration.

Output:

1. Obtain commitments from stakeholders for inclusive education and technology access.
2. Increased understanding of challenges faced by girls and young women with disabilities.
3. Commenced dialogue and collaboration among government representatives, advocacy groups, and disability organizations.
4.  Insights gained from participant inquiries, guiding future advocacy efforts.