ESCAP Regional Workshop - Country Paper : Nepal

COUNTRY PAPER : NEPAL

1. Introduction

His Majesty’s Government of Nepal (HMG/N) has established the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare (MWCSW) with a view to bringing about extensive reformation in the existing situation of women, children, senior citizens and people with disabilities (PWDs) in the country. In this connection, the Government has assigned the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare as a focal Ministry with specific responsibilities and mandates to make conducive environment and enjoyment of equal opportunities for all the marginalized and people with disabilities (PWDs).

2. National Policy on Disability

The Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal – 1990 has direct the Government to formulate a special laws and policy for welfare and welbeing of the people with disabilities. The Protection and Welfare of Disable Persons Act (PWDA) 1982 and Regulation focused on protecting and developing the rights of people with disabilities.

In the Tenth five years Plan Focused on, to create the environment such that to live dignified life like as other and to mainstreaming them in development activities along with to safeguard their rights in all spheres of life.

Government has formulated a “Disabled Service National Policy –1996". The policy and strategic covers the following areas and services for the welfare and right of the persons with disabilities.

Change the attitude towards people with disability, establish rights and opportunities for them.
Amend existing laws to facilitate simple and dignified living of the disabled people with proper rights and welfare.
Conduct disability prevention programs (Safe motherhood, nutrition, imposition of proper rules to stop or minimize road traffic accidents, etc.)
Promote people’s awareness on prevention and security through communication media.
Update official statistics and information database.
Implement program for free education to disabled people up to higher degree and launch special education program for disabled people with special needs.
Arrangement for free medical Facilities.
Conduct sports, entertainment and extra-curricular activities.
Emphasize on family based and community based rehabilitation.
Activate government and non-government agencies for PWDs employment.

The main objectives of the policy are to provide equal opportunities in all spheres of society by empowering persons with disabilities.

4. National Statistics on Population with Disabilities

Various survey on disabled persons show different data due to their own peculiar methodology adopted by institutions. The recent survey carried out by the National Planning Commission (NPC) and UNICEF 2001 'A situation analysis of disability in Nepal' is more comprehensive but this survey has not taken into account moderate and mild disabilities. And it shows 1.63% prevalence of disability in Nepal. According to population census 2001, the Disabled female were counted to be 56633 in numbers whereas the number of Disabled male was found to be 47162 out of total population 2.32 million. WHO had estimated 10% disability in Developing countries – 1976. It is believed that there is about 5-7% of disability prevalence including all types of mild and moderate disabilities in Nepal. More than 90% persons with disabilities live in remote areas where basic needs are not meet. A detail and comprehensive survey in this field has yet to be done.

5. Remarkable Achievements through the Asian and Pacific Extended Decade of Disabled Persons (EDDP 2003-2012)

Implementation of Biwako Millenium Framework for Action in Nepalwork the total population

In the line of EDDP we have shown keen interest and great initiation to materialize to Biwako Millennium Framework and is under implementation. Based on the framework Nepal has developed a National plan of action on Disabilities.

Community Based Rehabilitation Programme(CBR):-

CBR Programmes are being run in 35 districts with joint collaboration by and government, local agencies and INGOs. PWDs have been getting the basic services like education, Medical facilities vocational training, leadership development training, awareness raising and income generation activities at their own local community. NGOs/INGOs working in this sector are enjoying facilities, tax exemption as per rule.

Public Awareness:

Public awareness programmes are conducting seminars, interactions and workshop; as well as posters, bulletin and media.

The self-help organizations of persons with disabilities and related families and parents associations:

MWCSW has supported to some 24 such organizations during the last fiscal year. The ministry has been supporting such organization so that their capacity can be strengthened. Within the Ministry, there is a national coordination committee on disability which comprises of 24 members including 6 representative from disabled peoples organization. The committee provides advices, coordinates monitor and evaluate the activities related to disability.

Women with Disabilities :

There are various self help organization lead by women with disabilities, such non Governmental organization are assisted by Government providing them with matching funds or seed money. These organization run CBR and other activities on gender equality, equity and empowerment too.

Early detection, early intervention and education:

His Majesty's Government of Nepal has introduced different preventive and educational measures. Such measures will sensitize and aware people in general . People will acquainted with different step taken by government to protect the life of people which is aimed to assure safe and healthily life. We think such measures and steps provide security and prevent possible accident where may cause accidents and consequently resulted in any types of disabilities.

His Majesty’s Government has been trying its level best to provide basic education for the disable. The Council for Special Education under Ministry of Education and Sports run special education programme in 56 districts. About 13,000 disable children of school going age attend school for education. Government has the plan –“Education for All by the year 2015”.

Early detection and intervention centers are established and working in 35 districts.
Integrated/inclusive education programs are going on.
About 2000 teachers are trained for special education.
Scholarships are also awarded to disabled children.
Curative and preventive services are provided by ministry of health such as:Vitamin A, DPT, Polio, Measles vaccines and Nutritional service.

Training and employment including self-employment:

There is regular vocational training programme run by MOWCSW on various types of skill development, entrepreneurship training by which it has become easier for PWDs to earn their livelihood. Social Welfare Council is launched micro credit programme for PWDs so that they can promote income generation by utilizing their skill.

Access to build environments and public transport:

The Ministry of Women Children and Social Welfare has provided finacial assistents to construct ramp in a government building so that it will be easier for PWDs to move along with their wheelchair. It can be considered Disabled Friendly physical environment for them. Few school buildings are accessible for the disable children. Some public bus transport company had made reservation seats for disable people. Recently there are some traffic signals in main junction of capitals and busy road for visual impaired.

Access to information and communications and assistive technologies:

Sign language training activities are run by several NGOs and Disable People’s Organization (DPOs).PWDs are benefited through such programme. Nepal Television and Nepal 1 channel have been broadcasting news in Sign language for the last few years. The ministry has also been providing matching fund to manufacture assistive devices for PWDs (wheel chair, tricycle, crutches, white sticks, orthopedic shoes, walker) which are distributed free of cost on regional basis. More than 2500 PWDs are benefited annually. Assertive devices are also distributed by other 12 organizations in different part of the country.

Poverty alleviation through capacity-building, social security and sustainable livelihood programmes:

The main objective of HMG’s Tenth five years Plan is Poverty Alleviation and strategies are there; to meet the objective as mentioned in the plan. In pursuance to fulfill the objective that is, poverty alleviation among PWDs,the ministry has been supporting long term technical training to PWDs through vocational training centers. These people are also getting vocational training through community based approach. About 700 PWDs are being trained on various types of skill development, entrepreneurship, and income generation activities. The ministry has been providing matching fund to NGOs/SHOs those run the skill development training for PWDs at the field level.

Shortcoming:

The major short comings for the implemental of MBF:

The concern of disabilities are not yet priority sector in the planning Implemeting and Evaluation process.
Lack of awareness on the causes and rights of disabilities. (mostly in rural areas)
Programmes are mainly concentrated in the urban areas.
lack of trained manpower and other technical resources.
Improper opportunity and access for PWDs, mostly in education, employment and social participation.

Plans on the BMF Implementation for the rest of the decade:

His Majesty's Government of Nepal has formulate a "National plan of action 2003" for the people with disabilities for the implementation of BMF. In each policy area there are: Present situation, issues and problems, targets, policy and working policy. Action Plan has also logical Framework includes: Activities, Responsible Agency for implementation, Supporting agencies, Time frame and Monitoring indicators. This plan of action has to be completed with in the next six years.The Major areas highlighted by the plan of action are as follows:

1. Legal Aspect:

1.1 The protection and welfare of Disable person act 1982 and regulation will be reviewed.

1.2 Legislation will be reviewed in consultation with concerned Government agencies to ensure employemnt, equal opportunity and safeguard of their facilities.

2. Education

2.1 To incorporate protection and disability subject in school Curriculum and Teachers' Training Materials.

2.2 To Provide free Education for the PWDs in School and higher Education.

2.3 To Provide Practical Consultation to PWDs and their family.

2.4 To arrange and Extension of Inclusive and Integrated education for PWDs.

2.5 To provide informal Education & skill Training programmes for the PWDs.

2.6 To Prepare & developed skilled human resources to provide special sports, Entertainment, Cultural Programmes & special Education for PWDs.

2.7 To Provide assistive devices for the PWDs student under the special Education Programmes.

2.8 To arrange annually additional 1000 admission quota for disable students for general and higher education.

2.9 To Provide skill training gradually through council for Technical and Vocational Training for PWDs as these centres are running programmes for general people.

2.10 To operate skill training and special health services in Disable home.

2.11 To arrange in country production of special Education materials like brail, sign language curriculum including other educational materials.

2.12 To arrange sign language interpreter for PWDs in higher Education.

2.13 To established brail library in higher education.

3. Health:

3.1 To produced & distribution of artificial organ & assistive devices which are helpful in disables peoples Rehabilitation Programmes.

3.2 To arrange Medical and Pharmacy services for PWDs.

3.3 To Prevent and control the disabilities, organized Education and Mobile health camp in different parts of the country.

3.4 To organized and conduct speech therapy, occupational therapy and psychotherapy in institution and provide such facilities through health institutions.

4. Training and Employment:

4.1 To conduct study & research skill training for PWDs.

4.2 To identity possibilities of Employment on the basis of skill according to the nature of disability, Qualification and capacity.

4.3 To provide 5% quota for PWDs in Government and Non Govt. sectors and conduct study or research or other provision for such sectors from foreign country.

5. Service and Facilities:

5.1 To Strengthen Technical School and take them into mainstreaming for PWDs skill training.

5.2 To arrange suitable traffic indicator for visual impairment.

5.3 To arrange easy accessibility in public transport, Building and places.

5.4 To increase social dignity and conduct public awareness programmes of PWDs Through different Media.

5.5 To Provide monthly allowances for severe and profound disabilities.

6. Miscellaneous:

6.1 To maintain official data in local Government unit like village development committee, Municipal office and district development committee and distribute identification card through these agency.

6.2 Organized different programs to brings PWDs in Social development Mainstreaming Programs.

6.3 To established disabled home.

6.4 To strengthen and Continue the financial support programmes for SHO of PWDs.

Conclusion

Since disability is a multisectoral, multfaced and multi-disciplinary issue, disability prevention, rehabilitation and equal opportunities for the persons with disabilities cannot be created through single effort.

The government has expressed its sincere commitment at the international and regional level to implement UN standard rules, ESCAP agenda for action and other assurances. The aim of the regional framework for action identifies seven areas of priority action in the new decade, 2003-2012. And, it will achieve an inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based society for PWDs in the region. Priority of the government on disability issue along with the international technical and economic cooperation and support will surely promote the standards of living and dignified life of the persons with disabilities.

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Main	Programme	Materials	Online	Bangkok

	Regional Workshop on Monitoring the Implementation of the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights-based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific (BMF) Bangkok, Thailand, 13-15 October 2004