A program organized to promote disability-inclusive and accessible local government in Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City

Published on: March 2, 2023

the images are collaged where in image 1, the particpants incuding Mayor and other representatives are being seated in two rows. In image image 2, the participats are seted in the round table setup in the program facing the facilitator

On 27th February 2023, an orientation program was conducted for the representatives of the local Government at Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City, to promote disability-inclusive and accessible service delivery mechanisms, and train them on issues and rights of disability, guiding for a supportive and accessible approach towards the people with disability. The program was organized by CIL-Kathmandu in coordination with the Disabled Women Association, Rupandehi, and with the financial support of the Australian Volunteers Impact Fund.  In the program, Mayor- Khelraj Pandey, different ward presidents of the Municipality, Australian Volunteers Program Manager- Rajendra Khadka, central board member of NFDN- Sabitra Ghimire, Persons with Disabilities, representatives from the local CSOs, NGOs, and media personnel. Around 35 persons were there in the program.

The one-day orientation comprised the presentation and the distribution of guiding booklets for the local government to serve as reference booklets to support persons with disability. General Secretary of CIL – Kathmandu Ganesh KC, and Vice-president -Jamuna Subedi presented regarding the overall issue of persons with disabilities and the work to be done at the local level. Kalpana Dhakal, president of the Disabled Women Association, Rupandehi facilitated the program.

The orientation focused on edifying the partakers and therefore was meaningful to promoting inclusive, accessible, and accountable local government and social systems as expressed by the attending participants.

Khelraj Pandey, the head of the Butwal sub-metropolitan city said that the municipality is always ready for the welfare of the disabled community. Further added there have been complaints that the newly constructed building of Butwal sub-metropolitan city is not disabled friendly and promised to modify it and make it easily accessible to disabled people. City Chief Pandey promised that he is always ready to solve the problems of persons with disabilities.

Shiv Rana, the spokesperson of Butwal sub-metropolitan city and chairman of Butwal sub-metropolitan ward number 15, promised to always help from the municipal ward level to solve the problem of disability.

Speaking at the program, Bal Bahadur Pun, Chairman of Butwal Sub-Metropolitan Ward No. 10, said that he would take initiative to get the allocated budget easily in the field of disability.