“While the marginalized groups grab the attention of the political parties during elections, people with disability do not fall in the priority list as the parties fail to see our strength,” said Subedi. “The disabled comprise 10 percent of the total population,” he added.[break]
Tika Dahal, general secretary at NFDN, said the parties have underestimated the strength of the disabled as it is believed that they need someone´s support to reach the polling booths. “We have been underestimated as we need support from someone to reach the booths,” he said.
According to the latest census, disabled people comprise only 1.9 percent of the country´s total population. On Friday, around 200 disabled people led by NFDN had taken out a rally in the capital demanding two percent representation in the new Constituent Assembly.
“We want at least 2 percent CA seats. We should be given an opportunity to have our say in the constitution drafting body,” said Subedi. “It is known to all that the disabled people are the most neglected lot in the society. If we have no representation in the CA, it is unlikely that our voices would be heard,” he added.
According to Subedi, disabled people have actively participated in all the political movements. However, they were not well-represented in the previous CA. “So that our voices are heard we demand 10 CA seats in the new CA,” said Subedi.
Meanwhile, Dahal added that quota alone would not improve the lives of the disabled. “A dignified life is everyone´s right. But in our context, our society is too backward to treat everyone with respect,” she said. “This has to change and we need to be in the decision making level to bring changes in the policies and implement them,” she added.
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