Competition on legal rights and awareness for women with disabilities

Access Planet organized a one-day Competition on legal rights and awareness for women with disabilities in Birendranagar, Surkhet on 2^nd September, 2026. The event was designed to strengthen participants legal awareness, confidence, leadership, and public speaking skills among women and girls with disabilities. 30 women with disabilities local and permanent residence from Birendranagar Municipality and Barahatal Rural Municipality participated in the legal rights and awareness competition organized in the support of Legal Empowerment Fund.

Access to information about legal rights is essential for women and girls with disabilities to claim their rights, seek justice, participate meaningfully in society, and challenge discrimination and violence. However, women with disabilities often face multiple and intersecting barriers to accessing legal information, justice mechanisms, public platforms, and decision-making processes.

The sessions were facilitated by Disability rights activist Laxmi Nepal and co-hosted by communication officer Ms. Manisha Pal. The activity was designed as an interactive and participatory platform through a quiz and public speaking competition, where women and girls with disabilities could learn about relevant laws and rights while also developing their confidence and ability to express their views publicly.

Objectives

The major objectives of the program were:

• To increase legal awareness among women and girls with disabilities regarding their constitutional and legal rights.
• To strengthen leadership, confidence, and public speaking skills among women and girls with disabilities.
• To create a safe and inclusive platform for participants to express their views and perspectives on disability rights and the situation of women with disabilities.
• To encourage women and girls with disabilities to actively participate in advocacy, community engagement, and decision-making processes.
• To promote awareness of the legal and social barriers faced by women with disabilities, particularly in Karnali Province.

Participants

A total of 30 women and girls with disabilities actively participated in the program.

The participants were provided with an opportunity to engage in both knowledge-based and communication-focused activities. Through the quiz and public speaking competition, participants demonstrated their understanding of legal rights, constitutional provisions, disability rights, women's rights, and issues affecting women with disabilities

Closing Remarks:

Chief Guest:

• Ms. Mohanmaya Dhakal (Bhandari), Mayor, Birendranagar Municipality

Special Guest:

• Ms. Laxmi Pun Magar, Vice-Chairperson, Barahatal Rural Municipality

Both guests shared their views on the importance of such competitions in strengthening legal knowledge, confidence, and leadership among women and girls with disabilities. They appreciated the active participation of the participants and highlighted the need for continued collaboration among local governments, civil society organizations, and women with disabilities to promote equal access to justice and effective implementation of disability rights. They also thanked Access Planet Organization for organizing the program and creating a meaningful platform for learning, expression, and empowerment.

Key Outcomes

The program contributed to the following key outcomes:

• Participants gained and reinforced their knowledge of important laws and international conventions concerning women's rights and disability rights.
• The four-group quiz format encouraged participants to work collectively, share knowledge, discuss legal issues, and develop teamwork and problem-solving skills.
• The public speaking competition provided participants with an opportunity to speak before an audience and express their views with greater confidence.
• Participants practiced public speaking, critical thinking, presentation, teamwork, and communication skills that are important for leadership and advocacy.
• Participants developed a stronger understanding of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2074 and other legal protections available to persons with disabilities.
• The public speaking competition created space for women and girls with disabilities to discuss their experiences, challenges, and expectations regarding the implementation of their rights.
• The presence of local government representatives helped create opportunities for dialogue between women with disabilities and local authorities regarding disability rights and inclusion.
• Recognizing winning quiz teams and public speaking participants motivated participants and reinforced the value of their knowledge, skills, confidence, and active participation.

Conclusion

The Competition on legal rights and awareness for women with disabilities was successfully conducted in Birendranagar, Surkhet, with the active participation of women and girls with disabilities.

The quiz competition engaged participants in four groups and promoted teamwork and collective learning, with two groups being recognized as winning teams. Similarly, the public speaking competition provided an important platform for participants to express their perspectives on disability rights and the situation of women with disabilities in Karnali Province. Participants were recognized through First, Second, Third, and Consolation positions.

Overall, the activity made a meaningful contribution to strengthening legal knowledge, confidence, leadership, teamwork, communication, and public speaking skills among women and girls with disabilities. It also encouraged participants to become more informed and active advocates for their rights and promoted greater dialogue between women with disabilities, local government representatives, and other stakeholders.

The program therefore contributed to Access Planet Organization's broader efforts to promote legal empowerment, gender equality, disability rights, meaningful participation, and leadership of women and girls with disabilities.