Disability rights legislation in Nepal: Status, challenges, and way forward
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59552/nppr.v5i1.88Keywords:
Disability, disability rights, inclusion, human rights, legislationAbstract
Legislation concerning the rights of persons with disabilities encompasses legal instruments aimed at safeguarding their rights and interests, ensuring equal participation and inclusion in societal affairs. This paper investigates the landscape of rights legislation provided for persons with disabilities in Nepal, where disability issues are analyzed within social and legal discourse frameworks. Utilizing the content analysis method, this article synthesizes qualitative aspects of legal frameworks, policy documents, and existing scholarly literature with insights gleaned from secondary sources. Key concepts under scrutiny include government attention to disability rights initiatives and international obligations, the degree of legal adherence, and the accessibility of services for persons with disabilities. The research findings highlight notable legislative efforts made by the government to safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities; however, their effectiveness relies on enforcing legislation, strengthening public institutions, and encouraging contributions from non-governmental organizations. Implementing such legal frameworks was found to be weak for several reasons, including infrastructural deficiencies, lack of accurate statistical information, and inadequate policy and structural interventions at the sub-national level. Media review revealed various barriers to accessibility, education, employment, health services, social inclusion, and legislation, while also acknowledging some benefits received by persons with disabilities in education, employment, institutionalization, social protection, and resilience. Recommendations arising from this inquiry advocate for bolstered enforcement mechanisms, resource allocation, increased public awareness efforts, improved accessibility standards, and empowerment of diverse stakeholders. This research is significant given the urgent need to address the ongoing challenges in effectively implementing rights for persons with disabilities in Nepal.
References
Acharya, S. (2016). Disability law implementation: The role of NGOs and INGOs in Nepal. National Judicial Academy, Law Journal [Full text is available at the Social Science Research Network (SSRN)]. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2831810
Acharya, T. (2021). Sex, gender and disability in Nepal: Marginalized narratives and policy reform. Routledge.
Adhikari, K. P. (2019). Realising the rights of persons with disability in Nepal: Policy addresses from the health, education and livelihoods perspectives. Nepalese Journal of Development and Rural Studies, 16, 23–34. https://doi.org/10.3126/njdrs.v16i0.31532
Banskota, M. (n.d.). Nepal Disability Policy Review. School of Arts, Kathmandu University, Disability Research Center. https://drc.edu.np/storage/publications/Kele3p6ZwOcvDK2D885O7Rz04F9z2OraQrJgmozx.pdf
Crenshaw, K. (1989). Demarginalizing the intersection of race and sex: A black feminist critique of antidiscrimination doctrine, feminist theory and antiracist politics. University of Chicago Legal Forum, 1989(1), 139–167.
Degener, T. (2016). Disability in a Human Rights Context. Laws, 5(3), Article 35. https://doi.org/10.3390/laws5030035
Department of Health Services. (2019). National Guidelines for Inclusive Health Services. Ministry of Health and Population. https://www.pahunchforsrhr.org/media/platform-resources/December2023/MZmaorcWSvMVBD3KaDY6.pdf
Department of Health Services. (2022). Annual Report 2021/2022. Government of Nepal. Ministry of Health and Population. https://giwmscdnone.gov.np/media/pdf_upload/DoHS_Annual_Report%20_FY%202078-79_bpk2vma.pdf
Devkota, H. R., Sharma, M., & Sharma, C. (2023). Analysis of health, disability, gender and disaster risk reduction policies in Nepal using a human rights-based approach. Disability, CBR & Inclusive Development, 34(3), 11–29. https://doi.org/10.20372/dcidj.577
Eide, A. H., Neupane, S., & Hem, K. (2016). Living conditions among people with disability in Nepal. SINTEF Technology and Society. https://www.sintef.no/globalassets/sintef-teknologi-og-samfunn/rapporter-sintef-ts/sintef-a27656-nepalwebversion.pdf
Election Commission of Nepal. (2018, February). Election of the Members of the House of Representatives (प्रतिनिधिसभा सदस्य निर्वाचन २०७४). https://election.gov.np/ecn/uploads/userfiles/ElectionResultBook/HoR2074.pdf
Galimberti, S. (2024, December 17). Act relating to rights of persons with disabilities: Legislation needs amendment. The Himalayan Times. https://thehimalayantimes.com/opinion/act-relating-to-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities-legislation-needs-amendment
Goodley, D. (2024). Disability studies: An interdisciplinary introduction (3rd ed.). Sage. https://uk.sagepub.com/en-gb/eur/disability-studies/book286769
Government of Nepal. (2017a). अपाङ्गता भएका व्यक्तिका लागि समावेशी शिक्षा नीति [Inclusive Education Policy for Persons with Disabilities]. Government of Nepal. https://www.opmcm.gov.np/wp-content/uploads/npolicy/Education/Inclusive_Education.pdf
Government of Nepal. (2017b). अपाङ्गता भएका व्यक्तिहरूको अधिकारसम्बन्धी ऐन [The Act Relating to Rights of Persons with Disabilities]. Government of Nepal. https://lawcommission.gov.np/content/12931/12931-the-act-relating-to-rights-of/
Government of Nepal. (2017c). राष्ट्रिय समावेशी आयोग ऐन [National Inclusion Commission Act]. Government of Nepal. https://lawcommission.gov.np/content/12873/12873-nation-inclusion-commission-ac/
Government of India. (2016). The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act. https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/15939/1/the_rights_of_persons_with_disabilities_act%2C_2016.pdf
Government of Nepal. (2015). नेपालको संविधान [Constitution of Nepal]. https://lawcommission.gov.np/content/13437/nepal-s-constitution/
Harpur, P. (2012). Embracing the new disability rights paradigm: The importance of the convention on the rights of persons with disabilities. Disability & Society, 27(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2012.631794
Imrie, R. (1997). Rethinking the relationships between disability, rehabilitation, and society. Disability and Rehabilitation. 19(7), 263–271. https://doi.org/10.3109/09638289709166537
Joshi, D.D. (2024, August 8). Disability-based discrimination rampant in Nepal. myRepublica. https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/disability-based-discrimination-rampant-in-nepal-6759b26fdf922.html
Jha, J. & Ranjan, R. (2024 December 2). International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Upholding rights of the marginalized. The Annapurna Express. https://theannapurnaexpress.com/story/51437/
Jung, D. Y., & Shiwakoti, R. (2017). Special education policy in Nepal: A critical review from policy theory. Journal of Educational Innovation Research, 27(4), 219–240. https://doi.org/10.21024/pnuedi.27.4.201712.219
Kantipur. (2024, August 8). अपाङ्गताको आधारमा भेदभाव: नेपालमा अपाङ्ग व्यक्तिको अधिकार [Discrimination based on disability: Rights for Persons with Disability in Nepal].
Kathmandu Post. (2018, February 20). Nepal’s disability laws under UN scrutiny. Kathmandu Post.
Lamichhane, K. (2013). Disability and barriers to education: Evidence from Nepal. Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research, 15(4), 311–324. https://doi.org/10.1080/15017419.2012.703969
Lamichhane, K., & Okubo, T. (2014). The Nexus between Disability, Education, and Employment: Evidence from Nepal. Oxford Development Studies, 42(3), 439–453. https://doi.org/10.1080/13600818.2014.927843
Megret, F. (2007). The Disabilities Convention: Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities or Disability Rights? (SSRN Scholarly Paper No. 1267723). Social Science Research Network. https://papers.ssrn.com/abstract=1267723
Ministry of Finance. (2018). Budget Speech of Fiscal Year 2018/19. Government of Nepal. https://mof.gov.np/content/172/budget-statement-2075-76/
Ministry of Finance. (2019). Budget Speech of Fiscal Year 2019/20. Government of Nepal. https://mof.gov.np/content/395/budget-speech-2019-20/
Ministry of Finance. (2020). Budget Speech of Fiscal Year 2020/21. Government of Nepal. https://mof.gov.np/content/394/budget-speech-2020-21/
Ministry of Finance. (2021). Budget Speech of Fiscal Year 2021/22. Government of Nepal. https://mof.gov.np/content/393/budget-speech-2021-22/
Ministry of Finance. (2022). Budget Speech of Fiscal Year 2022/23. Government of Nepal. https://mof.gov.np/content/391/q2/
Mitra, S. (2018). Disability, Health and Human Development. Palgrave Macmillan US. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-53638-9
Nagarik. (2023, December 3). अपाङ्गताको अधिकार ऐन: कार्यान्वयनमा चुनौती [Act on Rights of Persons with Disability: Challenges in implementation]. Nagarik News.
National Federation of Disabled Nepal. (2018). अपाङ्गता भएका व्यक्तिको रोजगारीको अधिकार अनुगमन [Monitoring employment rights of persons with disabilities]. Kathmandu: National Federation of Disabled Nepal; Disability Rights Promotion International. https://ia801000.us.archive.org/15/items/MonitoringEmploymentRightsNep/Monitoring_Employment_Rights_Nep.pdf
National Human Rights Commission. (2022). अपाङ्गता भएका व्यक्तिहरूको न्यायमा पहुँचका अवरोध पहिचानसम्बन्धी अध्ययन [Study on identification of barriers for access to justice for persons with disabilities]. Lalitpur, Nepal: National Human Rights Commission; National Federation of Disabled Nepal; Global Disability Inclusion. https://nfdn.org.np/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Research_Report_PDF_Nepali.pdf
National Planning Commission. (2024). Nepal Voluntary National Review of Sustainable Development Goals. Kathmandu: Government of Nepal. https://nepalsdgforum.org/uploads/attachments/cqcvxyd8msowlpij.pdf
National Statistics Office. (2021). National Population and Housing Census. National Statistics Office, Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. https://censusnepal.cbs.gov.np/results/downloads/national?type=report
National Statistics Office. (2023). अपाङ्गतासम्बन्धी तथ्याङ्कीय प्रतिवेदन [Disability Statistical Report]. National Statistics Office, Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Government of Nepal. https://censusnepal.cbs.gov.np/results/files/result-folder/Final_Disability_Statistical_Report_12_02.pdf
Nepal Disabled Women Organization. (2024, January 31). Follow-up interaction with policymakers. https://ndwa.org.np/news/follow-up-interaction-with-policymakers
Nganga, L., Thapa, S., Kambutu, J., & Akpovo, S. M. (2021). Inclusive special needs and disability education: History, policies, practice and challenges in Kenya and Nepal. In Policy, Provision and Practice for Special Educational Needs and Disability. Routledge.
Paudel, Y. R., Dariang, M., Keeling, S. J., & Mehata, S. (2016). Addressing the needs of people with disability in Nepal: The urgent need. Disability and Health Journal, 9(2), 186–188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2016.01.004
Public Service Commission. (2023). पैसठ्ठीऔँ वार्षिक प्रतिवेदन २०८१/८२ (65th Annual Report 2022/23). https://psc.gov.np/category/annual-report.html
Quinn, G. (2009, April 17). The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Toward a new international politics of disability. Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium. https://sites.utexas.edu/tjclcr/files/2022/11/Quinn_The-United-Nations-Convention-on-the-Rights-of-Persons-with-Disabilities.pdf
Risal, A., Kunwar, D., Karki, E., Adhikari, S. P., Bimali, I., Shrestha, B., Khadka, S., & Holen, A. (2021). Adapting World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 for Nepal. BMC Psychology, 9(1), 45. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-021-00550-5
Sapkota, K. P., Shibanuma, A., Ong, K. I. C., Kiriya, J., & Jimba, M. (2023). Accommodation and disability-specific differences in nutritional status of children with disabilities in Kathmandu, Nepal: A cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health, 23(1), 315. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-14999-z
Schedin, H. (2016). Disabled human rights?: A critical study of the implementation of disability rights in a globalized Nepal [Student essay, Gothenburg University]. https://gupea.ub.gu.se/handle/2077/48264
Schedin, H. (2017). Accessibility to power: Framing of the disability rights movements in India and Nepal. Disability CBR & Inclusive Development, 28(3). https://doi.org/10.5463/dcid.v28i3.642
Shakespeare, T. (2013). Disability Rights and Wrongs Revisited. Routledge Taylor and Francis Group. https://www.routledge.com/Disability-Rights-and-Wrongs-Revisited/Shakespeare/p/book/9780415527613
Thakur, S. C. (2005). A situation analysis of disability in Nepal. Tribhuvan University Journal, 25(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.3126/tuj.v25i1.3742
Thapaliya, M. P. (2016). A Report on Disability in Nepal. Australian Himalayan Foundation. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/303756141_A_Report_on_Disability_in_Nepal
Thapaliya, M. P. (2024). Inclusive and special education policy in Nepal: Reality, rhetoric and contradiction. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 72(2), 374–390. https://doi.org/10.1080/1034912X.2024.2337167
United Nations (2006). Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. https://www.un.org/disabilities/documents/convention/convention_accessible_pdf.pdf
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. (2015, December). Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. United Nation Department of Economic and Social Affairs - Sustainable Development: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/post2015/transformingourworld
World Health Organization. (2001, December). International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/classifications/icf/en/
Additional Files
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Kamala Oli
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
