A Step Towards a Disability-Friendly Budhanilkantha

By Rojina Bhandari, Women's Leadership Fellowship (WLF) 2024 Fellow

The weight of care for individuals with disability often falls disproportionately on women in Nepali society. It's a demanding, underappreciated role, and can severely limit a woman's personal and professional growth. Our group, consisting of Devi Siwakoti, Kalpana Ghimire, Renuka Surya Magar, and Rojina Bhandari, has taken the first steps towards addressing this issue in Budhanilkantha Municipality under the program of Women’s Leadership Fellowship (WLF) 2024.

We've spent time understanding the situation on the ground. The municipality has made a start by identifying residents with disabilities and providing identity certificates. But, there’s a glaring gap - the absence of a dedicated care center. This means women caregivers are often trapped, unable to pursue their own goals or contribute to the economy.

We've initiated a dialogue with the municipality and we were able to reach a total of 15 individuals who identify as women, emphasizing the need for a care center that supports both individuals with disability and their caregivers. It was encouraging to see the Deputy Mayor of Budhanilkantha Municipality, Anita Lama, acknowledge the issue and show a positive response to our proposal. While it's disappointing that a care center for persons with disability won't be a reality this year, their commitment to include it in next year's plans is a significant step forward.

This journey has made me realize the immense potential impact of a disability-friendly municipality. Some outcomes from our Community Advocacy Intervention (CAI) Project include:

• Disability identity cards were distributed to 329 people in Budhanilkantha Municipality following the collection of disability data.
• Local partners gained a clear understanding of the care center concept.
• Our memorandum received a positive reception in the municipality.
• Anita Lama, the Deputy Mayor of Budhanilkantha Municipality has committed to including this program in FY 2082/83 due to its merit and fairness.

It’s more than just providing services; it's about enhancing the quality of life for individuals with disabilities and building a more inclusive community. The road ahead is undoubtedly challenging, but the prospect of a municipality where women caregivers are supported and individuals with disabilities thrive is a vision worth fighting for.

I'm hopeful that with continued advocacy and collaboration, we can turn this vision into a reality.