KATHMANDU, Dec 3: The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is being observed by global community on Sunday with the theme ‘transformation toward sustainable and resilient society’.

The day aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of on the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life, according to the United Nations. 

National Federation of Disabled Nepal (NFDN), the national umbrella body of persons with disabilities, has set the national slogan ‘call of SDGs to leave no one behind: let’s join hand for implementation of disability-friendly planning’ to celebrate the day.

This year the theme of IDPD focuses on the enabling conditions for the transformative changes envisaged in the 2030 development agenda for SDGs, said Suraj Sigdel, Country Director of CBM Nepal Country Office.

“This theme is very pertaining and relevant.As the rights of persons with disabilities are yet to be fully realized in Nepal, their rights and well-being in all spheres of society and development is must for sustainable development.”

In Nepal, there are differences in the estimates of the prevalence rate of disability. According to National Population and Housing Census 2011 puts the prevalence of disability at 1.94%. On the other hand, Nepal Living Standards Survey (NLSS) 2010/11 states that 3.6 percent of people have some kind of disability.

“The process of disability-inclusive development will be faster and effective if the government participate persons with disabilities in decision-making process,” he opined, adding that it is equally important that the government should ensure disability disaggregated data as envisaged by the SDGs.

 
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