“Training to actively engage in civic rights”

Civic, Electoral and Political participation of persons with disabilities

Suraj SigdelIFES, Nepal

ssigdel@ifes.org A sharing from Nepal

Persons with disabilities “lead”Community “solidarity”

• Disabled Peoples’ Organizations, disability self-help group, community leaders and the Election Commission staff are trained on Civic, Electoral and Political participation of persons with disabilities.

• 120 Community and District Advocacy Forums• 1,280 persons with disabilities and 1,280 community

leaders together for rights of persons with disabilities

Building Capacity

Disability Friendly Materials

Community Outreach

Inclusion

Street drama for Awareness

Media Mobilization

Voter Education

Election Access Observation

Project Outcome• An additional 1,231 persons with disabilities

(514 female) got registered on voter roll• In 2013 Constituent Assembly (CA) Election a

total 5,824 (1,708 female) persons with disabilities casted their vote (80%)

• CAFs and DAFs conducted a total 378 advocacy events, 4,353 participants (1,577 female) out of which 2,622 persons with disabilities participate in these events.

Project Outcome

• 1,255 (450 female) with disabilities included in several governmental and non governmental community structures

• A total of 405 children with disabilities (150 girl) enrolled for formal education

• 125 persons with disability were participated for access monitoring in the 2013 CA election.

Policy Change

• The Election Commission is sensitized on disability issues

• GESI unit established• Disability friendly voter education• Accessible polling locations• Disability inclusive strategic plan (2015-2019)

Thank You!