"National-Level Interaction on Way Forward on Advancing Economic Inclusion for Women with Disabilities"

10 November 2024, Kathmandu

Access Planet Organization in support with APWLD organized a National-level interaction on 10 November 2024 with the stakeholders working in the economic sector to promote the economic inclusion of women with disabilities. The event brought together 45 stakeholders, including representatives from government agencies, the private sector, development organizations, and organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) actively engaged in the economic sector.

During the program, Access Planet presented key findings and recommendations from its study on the employment and self-employment status of women with disabilities, aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 8. The presentation also highlighted relevant policy frameworks addressing economic inclusion for women with disabilities.

After that, a panel discussion was held, featuring the panelists Rashmi Rai, Employment Coordinator of Kathmandu Metropolitan City; Shankar Bhandari, General Secretary of the Hotel Professional Federation of Nepal; and Isha Thapa, Director of the Voice Project at SIRC. The panelists shared their efforts to promote inclusion within their respective sectors and expressed commitments to prioritize economic inclusion for women with disabilities in the future. The entire panel was moderated by Mr. Kirtan Shrestha Duwal, disability rights activist and the project advisory committee member.

Speaking at the program, Mahesh Bhattarai, Member Secretary of CTEVT, pledged to make future training programs provided by CTEVT more disability-friendly and inclusive, further ensuring accessibility and opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Output:

• Stakeholders from the government sector, private, and development organizations were sensitized on the economic challenges faced by women with disabilities.
• Commitments were gathered from the stakeholders to make their efforts more inclusive of women with disabilities.
• Strong connections were built with the stakeholders, laying the ground for future collaborations for the economic empowerment of women with disabilities.