From Policy to Practice: How Sudurpaschim and Dhangadhi Are Advancing Women’s Rights and Inclusion
Dhangadhi : Sudurpaschim Province has adopted policy frameworks focused on gender equality and disability inclusion, including the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Policy (2081 BS) and the Provincial Disability Policy (2081 BS). At the local level, Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City has been implementing programs aligned with federal and provincial directives, covering health services, disability inclusion, education, and women’s economic empowerment.
Women-Centered Health Services
Dhangadhi Municipality has been continuously implementing health programs directed by the Government of Nepal, including the Aama Surakshya (Safe Motherhood) Program, reproductive health services, and adolescent health (Kishor–Kishori Swasthya) programs. Programs under conditional grants are also being carried out, with the municipality providing support where additional resources are required.
In the previous fiscal year, more than 2,600 women accessed reproductive health services in Dhangadhi. These services included cervical cancer screening, breast cancer screening, and preliminary diagnosis. Where symptoms of sexually transmitted infections were identified, treatment was initiated at the municipal level. Elderly women were screened for uterine prolapse, and cases requiring advanced care were referred to appropriate health facilities. Fistula cases were screened and referred to hospitals.
Screenings were conducted using VIA tests, HPV DNA tests, and thermocoagulation machines, and treatment was provided where feasible within municipal facilities.
Under the Aama Bachau (Save Mother) Program, health workers conduct postnatal home visits after 24 hours, 3 days, 7 days, 15 days, and 42 days, assessing the condition of both mother and child. The municipality has allocated budget for free ambulance services, ward-level clinics, and specialist-led outreach. Gynecologists accompany ward clinics, and family planning tools are provided.
To strengthen service delivery, 16 nursing staff were trained to conduct VIA tests under the local government budget. According to municipal data, 98 percent of adolescent girls aged 10–14 have received the HPV vaccine, with 10,126 out of 10,429 girls vaccinated.
Five Cancer screening camps were conducted in coordination with Sushil Koirala Prakhar Cancer Hospital and B.P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital. One thousand three hundred and eighty two people received the screening services among which eighty four were referred for further examination.
The number of women screened for cervical cancer in past three fiscal years was 931, 3,710, and 3,192 respectively, out of which 59, 133, and 77 women were found to have suspected results.
The number of women screened for breast cancer in past three fiscal years was 235, 1,584, and 1,653 respectively, out of which 9, 10, and 9 women were found to have suspected results.
Disability Identity Cards, Home Screenings, and Accessibility
Dhangadhi Municipality distributes Disability Identity Cards on the 5th and 22nd of every month of nepali calendar, in line with a central government directive issued in 2065 BS, according to Nanda Raj Bhatta, a disabled person from Dhangadhi Municipality. People with disabilities are classified into 10 categories, and ID cards are issued in four types blue, red, yellow, and white based on severity.
Applicants who are able to travel to the municipal office submit an application with a ward recommendation and a doctor’s assessment report. For individuals unable to visit the municipal office, municipal teams—including a doctor and a nurse—travel to their homes to conduct disability screenings and issue ID cards, Bhatta said. Since 2065 BS, approximately 4,000 disability identity cards have been distributed in Dhangadhi, with 5–6 individuals in severe conditions newly identified each month.
A separate service hall has been established within the municipal building to provide disability-friendly services. Cardholders are eligible for government social security allowances, receiving NPR 2,128 per month, while individuals in the most severe category receive NPR 3,390.
The Constitution of Nepal guarantees persons with disabilities access to 57 different facilities, including reserved seats in civil service examinations, free healthcare services, transportation discounts, and interest-free loans for business start-ups.
Bhatta also shared observations regarding accessibility. He noted that most public infrastructure, including banks, ATMs, sidewalks, and ward offices, is not designed to be disability-friendly. According to him, guiding blocks for visually impaired pedestrians are often broken or obstructed by electric or telephone poles. ATM machines are generally designed for average-height users, making independent access difficult for many persons with disabilities.
He further stated that most banks, including government banks, operate from upper floors without ramps or elevators, even though persons with disabilities are required to collect social security allowances from banks. As an example, he mentioned that accessing services at Rastriya Banijya Bank in Dhangadhi can take an entire day for some beneficiaries due to crowding and accessibility constraints. He also noted that ramps in Ward Offices 3 and 19 are not suitable for wheelchair users.
Bhatta also stated that they are working on a policy draft catering specially to the disabled community. Even if mobility has increased because of assistive technology provided by the government many people of our community are still unable to get employment. Therefore, the need for policies to develop their skills is necessary.Although, disabled people are entitled to transportation discounts drivers refuse to give discount on the pretext of not recieving any compensation from the government. This issue should also be mentioned in the policy.
On the day of reporting, ID cards were distributed to eight individuals, including three persons with mental disabilities and five with physical disabilities. However, many individuals are still uninformed about the disability id card services provided by the government.
Voices from Service Users
Binu Maya, also known as Bimla Adhikari, visited the municipal office to collect her disability ID card. “I am deaf. I came here after I came to know about this service,” she said. “My son is a blood cancer survivor and needs frequent hospital visits. This card could help me access travel discounts. I am hopeful it will support me.”
Laxmi Sijapati said she learned about disability ID cards while visiting her ward office for her daughter’s citizenship application. “The ward office informed me that my daughter could get an ID card because she is autistic. I had no idea about it before,” she said.
Women’s Branch Programs and Economic Empowerment
According to Sita KC, Section Chief of the Women’s Branch, the branch is currently working on the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Policy. The Women’s Branch implements programs related to gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response, disability inclusion, the operation of safe houses, and the prevention of harmful practices.
For the past four years, the municipality has allocated NPR 15–20 lakh annually for assistive technologies for persons with disabilities. This year, medical teams visited five clusters, conducted health checkups, and prepared a list of beneficiaries eligible to receive assistive devices. Procurement and distribution are underway.
Sita KC stated that economic empowerment and education play an important role in reducing gender-based violence. She highlighted the Sanibariya Uddhami Mela (Saturday Women Entrepreneurs’ Fair) as one such initiative.
Saturday Women Entrepreneurs’ Fair (Sanibariya Uddhami Mela)
The Saturday Women Entrepreneurs’ Fair is held every Saturday from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Park Mode, Ward No. 1, Dhangadhi. The municipality provides free stalls, electricity, drinking water, toilets, tents, tables, chairs, and on-site health services.
On the opening day, 60 stalls were operated by women entrepreneurs selling handicrafts, traditional foods, snacks, and locally produced goods. Women’s groups from different wards participate, including the Jamuna Women’s Group of Dhangadhi–15, which offers Tharu traditional food items.
Mayor Gopal Hamal stated that the market was launched to provide a platform for women who have learned skills but have not yet been able to start businesses. The municipality plans to operate the market in the long term and use it to identify further training needs.
The fair also includes women supported through municipal programs. . Ganga damaini a middle aged women in her late 50s started selling clothes and bags in the Saturday fair since last year. She said, "I live in a rented house and pay for the rent with the money I receive from my widow pension given by the government. I aspire to build a house." She continues to sell her products every Saturday in the fair.
Women rehabilitated through the municipal safe house program also operate stalls at the market.
Livelihood Support and Psychosocial Services
Under grant-supported initiatives, Ward No. 12 and Ward No. 17 were selected for livelihood programs implemented by the Women’s Branch. Activities such as goat and pig farming have supported women farmers in generating income.
The municipality employs a psychosocial worker who provides counseling services. Through counseling and livelihood support, women in distress have been linked to income-generating activities.
According to training data, 529 women participated in skill development programs, of whom 70 percent (379 women) were from Janajati communities. Participation also included women and men from Dalit communities.
Education and Scholarships
According to Ghumman Singh Badayak, Section Officer for Education, Youth, and Sports, Dhangadhi Municipality has established five Model Schools (Namuna Vidyalaya). A total of 1,135 students have received free uniforms, shoes, tracksuits, and school bags.
To support Dalit students, the municipality has implemented the "Juthe Damai Scholarship Program", under which educational materials were distributed to 576 Dalit students in Grades 8 to 10.
For higher education, the "Tikaram Parki Scholarship Program" supports Dalit female students in Grades 11 and 12 and at the bachelor’s level. Tuition fees were provided to students studying in Education, Science, Agriculture, and Law. Scholarship amounts were handed over by Deputy Mayor Kandakala Kumari Rana, Chief Administrative Officer Narendra Bahadur Khati, and other officials.
In addition, Saraswati Basic School, which has the highest number of Dalit students in the municipality, has been supported with snack programs for students in Grades 8 to 10.
Conclusion
Through coordinated implementation of health, disability, education, and economic empowerment programs, Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City continues to operationalize national and provincial inclusion policies at the local level. Municipal officials state that these initiatives aim to expand access to services and strengthen inclusive development for women, persons with disabilities, and marginalized communities.
