Nepal joins the global community today, December 3, in marking the 33rd International Day of Persons with Disabilities with rallies, candle-lighting events, and public awareness programmes across the country. The National Federation of the Disabled Nepal (NFDN) shared details of this year’s events at a press conference on Monday.
NFDN President Devi Dutta Acharya said this year’s observance aims to highlight disability rights, promote disability-inclusive development, and urge stronger cooperation among government institutions and civil society. He called on the public to recognise the barriers faced by persons with disabilities and support efforts to improve their quality of life.
The day has been observed globally since 1992. It was redefined in 2008 after the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) came into force, shifting the focus from charity to rights, accessibility, and inclusion. Nepal has officially marked the day since the establishment of NFDN in 1993.
This year’s global theme is “Building an Inclusive and Sustainable Future: Strengthening the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities.” Nepal will align its national programmes with this theme.
NFDN emphasised that disability is not merely a physical or mental condition but a result of social, physical, environmental, and communication barriers that restrict equal participation. This approach is central to the CRPD’s definition of disability.
The World Health Organization’s 2023 data shows that 16 per cent of the global population lives with some form of disability, with numbers rising annually. Around 80 per cent live in developing countries. Estimates suggest that Nepal could have up to 4.8 million persons with disabilities, although the 2021 census recorded only 2.2 percent—an undercount attributed to stigma, limited awareness, and challenges in identifying non-visible disabilities.
Nepal has introduced various laws and policies to support disability rights, but implementation remains weak, said NFDN General Secretary Sugam Bhattarai. Advocates say meaningful progress will require stronger enforcement, accessible infrastructure, and sustained commitment from all levels of government.
