National Network of Disabled Conflict Victims

Interaction program on the Status ofConflict- Disabled Citizens in Nepal and Amendments to the Disability Rights Act 2074
2025-01-05 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
On December 31, 2024, the National Network of Disabled Conflict Victims (NNDCV) organized an interaction program at Hotel Pension Vasana, Dillibazar, Kathmandu. The primary objective of the event was to present findings from research conducted by NNDCV regarding the current status of conflict-disabled citizens in Nepal. Additionally, the program aimed to propose necessary amendments to the Disability Rights Act 2074 to address the needs and rights of conflict-disabled individuals more effectively. The event brought together a diverse group of participants, including government representatives, civil society members, legal experts, and disabled rights activists, fostering a collaborative environment for discussion and advocacy. The program was hosted by Mr. Surendra Khatri, Chairperson of NNDCV. There were altogether 42 participants in the program from different organizations.
Key Highlights:

Presentations:

Research Presentation: Mr. Krishna Gahatraj presented key findings from NNDCV’s research, which focused on the socio-economic conditions of conflict-disabled citizens. The research was conducted among 100 conflict-disabled individuals across various regions of Nepal. The study highlighted critical areas such as access to healthcare, employment, education, and social inclusion. The study’s report has facilitated addressing the fact-based needs of conflict-disabled individuals and strengthened advocacy and lobbying efforts with the government.

Policy Recommendations:

Proposed Amendments: Ms. Pratima Gurung led the discussion on proposed amendments to the Disability Rights Act 2074. The amendments aimed to incorporate specific provisions for conflict-disabled citizens, ensuring they receive tailored benefits and services that address their unique circumstances.
Alignment with International Frameworks: Emphasis was placed on aligning Nepal’s disability policies with international frameworks, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). This approach seeks to enhance Nepal’s commitment to protecting the rights of disabled individuals at a global standard.
Voices from Participants:

Experiences and Advocacy: Conflict-disabled citizens actively participated in the discussion, sharing their personal experiences and advocating for stronger enforcement of disability rights. Participants called for greater inclusion in policymaking processes and highlighted the need for representation at various governmental and institutional levels.

Commemoration on the occasion of the 33rd International Day of Persons with Disabilities
2024-12-03 11:30 - 2024-12-13 15:30
National Network of Disabled Conflict Victims (NNDCV) celebrated the 33rd International Day
of Persons with Disabilities on December 03, at Mandala Theatre. This commemoration of the
International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024 by NNDCV is a remarkable initiative that
highlights the leadership and resilience of persons with disabilities, particularly civilian-disabled
armed conflict victims. The event, themed “Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities
for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future,” creatively combined poetry and cartoon display to
communicate powerful narratives.
The inclusion of 91 diverse audience members, including diplomatic representatives, stakeholders,
and conflict victims, underscores the collaborative and inclusive spirit of the event. The initiative
to have poets connect with and craft works based on the experiences of civilian-disabled conflict
victims ensures authenticity and emotional resonance. Meanwhile, the collaboration with the
Cartoonists Club of Nepal to display 24 meaningful cartoons at Mandala Theatre added a visual
storytelling element, making the commemoration both unique and impactful.
This effort not only amplifies the voices of persons with disabilities but also promotes awareness
about their experiences and contributions, setting an example for creative advocacy and
engagement.
NNDCV along with the support of Amnesty International, Advocacy Forum, Nagarik Aawaz and
Mandala Theatre jointly collaborated in organizing poetry performances and cartoon display.

NNDCV concluded five year strategic planning meeting
2024-09-19 - 2024-09-23 | Hotel Narayani Resort, Gaidakot, Nawalparasi, Gandaki, Nepal
The three days Story Finalization Workshop was conducted with an objective to finalize the stories written by 9 story writers was held at Hotel Narayani Resort, Gaindakot, Nawalparasi from September 19-21, 2024. 9 story writers are the board members of NNDCV. During the workshop, GIZ CPS DWP team, board members and staff of NNDCV were presented at the workshop.
The purpose of this workshop was to finalize the stories written by the 9 story writers. In this workshop, 16 stories were finalized among 38 stories. Story writers has been writing stories since March 2023. The facilitators of the story finalization workshop were Ramesh Adhikari and Shaileshwori Sharma, Peace Advisors of GIZ CPS DWP team. Before reviewing the stories, facilitators explained the objectives behind the story finalization workshop. Story writers and story tellers reflected their experiences while telling and writing their stories.
The story finalization session was interactive as the facilitators ensured that the information provided by the storytellers are accurate and storywriters has articulated the stories in a proper way. In order to ensure this, facilitators engaged story tellers and story writers together in discussions and kept the forum open for feedback, queries and suggestions. These discussions and interactive sessions were supported through group discussions.
Lessons Learnt and Best Practices

More interactive sessions were ensured by the facilitators, which helped story writers and story tellers share the feelings more openly.

Story Finalization session took more time than allocated as story writers are more emotional during the story telling sessions.

Capacity Building Training on CRPD
2024-05-28 - 2024-05-29 | Hotel Pension Vasna, Dillibazar, Kathmandu, Nepal
The two-day training titled “Capacity Building Training on CRPD” with an objective to build the capacity of NNDCV board members and staff was held at Hotel Pension Vasna, Dillibazar from May 27-28, 2024. The theme of this training is Diversity in Disability: Meaningful Participation of Conflict- Affected Persons with Disabilities.” There were 22 participants from 15 districts.
The trainer of the training was Ms. Pratima Gurung. Pratima Gurung is an academic activist and an indigenous woman with a disability from Nepal. She is a champion of intersectionality in the disability rights movement, including women’s, indigenous, and minority rights perspectives in her disability and development work
The purpose of this training was to enhance participants’ knowledge on the concept of Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and its role while implementing the project. This workshop included various topics such as Article 11 of CRPD; International Humanitarian Law and Nepal Act relating to Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The training methodology was interactive as the facilitators ensured that knowledge was not only disseminated but accurately perceived and understood by the participants. In order to ensure this, facilitators engaged participants in discussions and kept the forum open for feedback, queries and suggestions. These discussions and interactive sessions were supported through power point presentations, group work and group discussions.
2. Objectives of the Workshop and Training

To increase the understanding of participants on CRPD 2006 and its importance.
To develop better awareness about different types of disabilities and enable the board members and staff of NNDCV to advocate about their issues.
To provide knowledge about Article 11.
