Everyone's responsibility to ensure rights of PWDs: PM Deuba

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that it is the common responsibility of all to protect and promote the rights of the person with disabilities, while ensuring easy and priority access to the state services.

In a message of best wishes today on the occasion of the 31st International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Prime Minister Deuba has noted that the constitution of Nepal guarantees right to social security to the marginalized and underprivileged citizens including the persons with disabilities. Accordingly, the government has been taking various initiatives for their social rehabilitation, social justice and protection, and giving special priority in education, health, employment sectors.

At the call of the United Nations, December 3rd of every year is celebrated as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. “Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world” is the theme for this year's IDPD.

 In the message, Prime Minister Deuba has said that based on the severity of the disability, the facilities provided by the state are being gradually increased while the government is implementing targeted employment and self-employment programmes to allow people with disabilities to live a self-dependent life.

"It is the need of the day to create an environment where people with all kinds of disabilities can access state service in an easy and efficient manner, while minimizing the physical, attitudinal, legal and structural barriers faced by them," the Prime Minister has said. In this context, Nepal has become a party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the government is working to implement the provisions of the Convention through domestic law and regulations. Hence, the cooperation and support of the private sector, civil society and all governmental and non-governmental organizations is essential for this effort of the government.

Prime Minister Deuba has also expressed the commitment that the government would take special measures to address the problems and needs of all marginalized communities including the people with disabilities. Likewise, he has also wished that the day inspires the governmental and non-governmental organizations working in protection of the rights and empowerment of the PWDs and all related stakeholders to work with more motivation and energy, and in an integrated and coordinated manner in promoting the rights, interests and welfare of the people with disabilities.