KATHMANDU, March 1: The National Conference of Women with Disabilities has kicked off in Kathmandu.

The program started on March 1 with the slogan 'Count me with you: My voice has meaning' and will end on March 3 with the unveiling of the Kathmandu Manifesto.

Altogether 36 women with disabilities from 7 provinces and more than 90 people representing national level organizations working in the field of women and disabilities are participating in the program.

The program was jointly organized by organizations working in the field of women and disabilities, Feminist Dalit Organization (FEDO), National Indigenous Disable Woman Association Nepal (NIDWAN), Netrahin Mahila Sangh Nepal, Access Planet Organization Nepal and Pahichan Nepal in the context of 114th International Women's Day.

The program inaugurated by Deputy Speaker Indira Rana Magar was attended by National Assembly member Padam Pariyar, National Women’s Commission Chairperson Kamala Parajuli, representatives of National Inclusion Commission and others.

Speaking at the program, Deputy Speaker Rana Magar expressed her deep concern for the issues faced by women with disabilities and pledged to offer her utmost support from the policy level.

Kala Swarnakar, president of Feminist Dalit Organization (FEDO), said that the program is being organized with the aim of putting pressure on key level individuals and concerned bodies in policy making to address the diversity of women with disabilities, issues of interrelationship, meaningful participation and underrepresentation and the problems of marginalized women with disabilities.