Ensuring access to justice for all

National Disabled Women Association (NDWA), Nepal 

Meena Paudel co-founded the National Disabled Women Association (NDWA) along with seven other Disabled women in 1998. The women were tired of the discrimination and stigma they faced, at home, within their families and in their communities. They formed NDWA to create a safe space where Disabled women could share their experiences and the challenges they were facing, and join together to advocate for their rights. 

NDWA works with Disabled women across Nepal to raise awareness and ensure they can access their rights. This includes rights education, leadership development, and advocacy with local and national authorities to ensure survivors of gender-based violence can access the justice system. 

“There were women who were scared to even talk about their problems but now their belief is that if they tell me, their heart will not only be lighter but also it will remain confidential” says Pampha Purkoti, who runs NDWA’s chapter in the Kavre district. 

Lalita Mainali is one of the Women NDWA works with. “When you are able versus disabled, the difference is like earth and sky”, she says. “I found it so hard to accept myself after I had my spinal injury.” She initially felt uncertain about the future, but with the love and encouragement of her family and support from NDWA her confidence grew. Now she is filled with self-belief: “Wherever I go, I feel I am capable of supporting myself and I now have that courage. I want to thank NDWA for this.” 

By building trust through local chapters embedded within communities, NDWA is better able to support Disabled women to build confidence, understand their rights and ensure they can seek justice. They also provide psychosocial support to women and their families. “I have succeeded in gaining everyone’s trust, they can freely tell me things that happen in confidence and I do their counselling also. The difference in how they are now and how they were in the beginning makes me happy” says Pampha. 

NDWA also links Disabled women with feminist movements and raises awareness within the movement of the challenges faced by Disabled women and the need for inclusion. “Feminism must include everyone – LBTQI+ women, women with disabilities, youth – we should all be equally free from violence and have equal access to our rights”, says Meena. 

Meena envisions an inclusive society where Disabled women and girls enjoy their rights and can access equal opportunities without discrimination or violence. Little by little, NDWA is making that vision a reality.