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In observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, ApEx explores the societal misconceptions and challenges faced by people with disabilities. Sadikshya Khadka spoke to some people who shared their personal experiences of overcoming societal prejudices and advocating for inclusion. Their stories highlight the need for systemic reforms, accessible infrastructure, and a collective shift in attitudes to create a society where people with disabilities can live independently and equitably.

Bhoj Raj Shrestha

The way society views people with disabilities is often shaped by pervasive misconceptions. A common belief is that individuals with disabilities are entirely dependent on others for support. This flawed thinking has restricted their ability to live independently and fully participate in society. Unfortunately, hearing such narratives repeatedly can lead people with disabilities to internalize the notion that they are incapable of being independent. 

In reality, most people with disabilities are capable of caring for themselves and living independently. However, the societal perception that they are helpless fosters a negative mindset. Even when individuals possess skills, creativity, and knowledge, these qualities are often overshadowed by their disability, which is unfair.

It’s crucial for governments to implement better policies that guarantee accessibility and equity across all areas. A stronger system is needed—not only to improve physical access but also to challenge societal attitudes. Changing these perceptions requires collective effort from families, communities, society, and the government. 

The constitution of Nepal and international organizations advocating for disability rights must ensure that laws designed to uplift people with disabilities are effectively enforced. Additionally, the allowances currently provided are insufficient to meet basic needs. 

Savitree Shrestha  

One deeply hurtful misconception about people with disabilities is that we are told to be repaying the sins of our previous birth. People don’t understand disability. They aren’t aware of the proper terminology used to address people with disabilities and the way they treat us is often not appropriate. To overcome these challenges, I try to talk about disability so people can become well-aware and adopt appropriate behavior. Ensuring access and support in all areas, such as employment, education, and public spaces, is crucial for the overall development and empowerment of people with disabilities.

Rama Dhakal

Misconceptions about people with disabilities are widespread, often starting within families. Many families foster a negative mindset, pitying us and believing we are incapable of accomplishing anything independently. Some even make deeply hurtful remarks. They say people with disabilities should not have been born. When such attitudes exist within families, they deprive people with disabilities of the support system that should be their foundation.

People with disabilities are often perceived as being completely incapable of contributing to society. As a result, we are excluded from participation in societal activities and groups, such as children’s clubs, mothers’ clubs, or women’s organizations. It leads to isolation.

Education is one of the most critical areas where change is needed. Early childhood development takes place in schools and classrooms, making these environments essential for fostering inclusion. When children with disabilities are included in all school activities from an early age, it promotes equality.

The private sector also has a significant role in promoting inclusion. Encouraging the employment and representation of people with disabilities across all sectors, particularly in decision-making positions, is essential. This is especially important in lawmaking and policy formulation. Representation and inclusion are not just about addressing misconceptions—they are about creating a society that values and respects everyone’s contributions, ensuring equity and opportunities for all.

The PEN Asia/Pacific Region Conference was scheduled to take place in Manila, the capital of the Philippines, from Oct 24 to 29. The primary objective of the conference was to encourage women’s active participation. I received a recommendation from Nepal PEN to attend this significant event. Ready to embark on my journey, I had made arrangements to fly with Singapore Airlines on Oct 23. Prior to the conference, I engaged in discussions with fellow members of PEN Nepal to strategize on key agenda items, including:regional perspectives on language and translation; challenges related to online expression; and the role of young writers and their impact on the future of PEN.

These discussions aimed to ensure our active participation and contribution to the conference’s overarching goals. In addition to addressing the specified agendas, participants engaged in discussions about the advancements achieved by their respective country’s PEN chapters. They also shared insights on their favorite books, providing reasons for their preferences. 

Having traveled from Nepal, I arrived well-prepared for these discussions. Furthermore, I brought along a poem titled ‘Humanity’, written to resonate with contemporary world events, particularly related to literature-a theme contributing to the PEN conference.

After about five hours, the plane landed in Singapore. Subsequently, the journey continued to Manila via Air Singapore, taking about three and a half hours before landing in the capital of the Philippines. It being my first visit to Manila, I anticipated confusion, but fortunately, everything proceeded smoothly. At the exit of the airport, I spotted a female holding a placard with my name written on it. I was very happy to meet her, ending all my confusions and hesitations. Shortly after, a participant from Bangladesh also arrived. 

As we arrived in the evening of Oct 24, the day was relatively uneventful. The following day marked the opening ceremony and the PEN Philippines Congress. Attendees from Philippines, Nepal, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Japan, Australia, and Sri Lanka were present. The opening ceremony featured diverse cultural programs, poetry readings, and discussions on various literary topics. The day before, the organizers had contacted me, requesting that I recite a poem during the program, given my identity as a poet. Although surprised and initially uncertain, I agreed, reassuring them that it would be feasible as I had brought one of my poems with me. 

The following day, multiple activities took place during the Philippines Congress. It was announced in the program that poems from Nepal and Malaysia were scheduled for recitation as part of their participation. My friends advised me to first recite the poem in my native language and then in English. I hesitated, pointing out that they wouldn't understand Nepali, but they insisted that hearing the poem in its original language would convey its spirit more effectively. I also felt the importance of showcasing my language to the world. Consequently, I recited the poem ‘Humanity’ first in Nepali and then in English. 

From Oct 26 to 28, we were engrossed in the workshop for three full days, spanning from 9 am to 10 pm (including free evening). The sessions included discussions on the progress achieved by PEN chapters in different countries and conversations about the favorite books of the participants. Taking into consideration the workshop’s emphasis on women’s participation, I found it relevant to discuss Susheela Karki’s book ‘Justice’ from Nepal. As the former Chief Justice of Nepal, she published her book ‘Justice’ post-retirement. During my presentation, I highlighted the challenging cases she handled during her tenure and her courageous stance, which led to her impeachment by the government for refusing to support an unjust decision. Ultimately, her commitment to justice prevailed. Sharing the success story of this courageous female Chief Justice left everyone present surprised and equally delighted.

Following a comprehensive discussion of everyone’s perspectives on the topic, the focus shifted to the three main themes of the workshop. During the discussion on the “Regional perspective on language and translation,” it became apparent that, with the exceptions of Japan and Australia, many countries faced similar challenges. Even though the national language is one, there are many languages, but there is a scarcity of literature in those languages. Even when written, many people do not understand the language, and there are no opportunities and arrangements for translation. In the case of Nepal, where Nepali is the national language, there are 123 other languages. Most lack a written script, and despite constitutional recognition as national languages, only a limited amount of literature is available in these languages. Moreover, even when literature exists, shortage of translators hinders its dissemination on national and international platforms. Besides, in schools, the lack of educators, writers, and textbooks for many languages obstruct progress, limiting the development of these languages. These challenges restrict writers in various languages from realizing their full potential, contributing to a scarcity of women writers as well. Geographical, ethnic, and cultural factors further limit women from openly expressing their feelings. Despite proficiency in the Nepali language, they struggle to write literature in Nepali as it is not their mother tongue. Furthermore, in the age of AI, accessibility to this technology is not easy for many in Nepal.

Similar challenges were identified in other countries too. Hence it was agreed that the initial step to be taken is promoting writing in one's own language. This approach, reflective of the customs, religion, and culture of respective regions, lays the foundation for addressing the issues at hand. After that, the importance of raising awareness and providing training in the use of AI for translation was discussed. Facilitating access to publishers was also recognized as crucial to ensuring that articles and literature could reach national and international readers. 

Additionally, regarding the challenges in ‘Online Expression’, it was observed that the potential of the writers from many countries, including Nepal, have not been fully utilized. Despite the current availability of advanced online platforms that enable global communication, meetings, and conferences without physical presence, the effective use of online expression has not been practiced, due to which even the talented writers have lagged behind. Hence, representatives from all participating nations unanimously acknowledged the necessity of developing a robust system for Online Expression. The consensus was to focus on raising awareness and providing training to potential writers on the use of online expression technologies.

Concerning Young Writers, it was found that the Philippines has a lot of young writers, but this is not the case in many other countries. In Nepal, the count is even lower compared to other nations, given its diversity in languages, castes, and cultures. Recognizing the need to focus on and enhance the participation of young writers, I conducted a self-analysis and acknowledged that I myself haven’t done as much as I could to encourage them. This realization prompted a commitment to concentrate on works written in various scripts and actively consider translation efforts. In response, I decided to dedicate my efforts to increasing the membership of young writers from diverse castes, languages, and religious cultures. 

There was also a discussion session on gender based violence and sexual harassment to the women and how we could contribute in addressing it in our respective areas. In the end, I found that everyone agreed with what Nepal presented in relation to the Future of PEN. According to which, we decide on the following points: organizing similar workshops/conferences on a regular basis to connect women writers from around the world; prioritizing women writers in such workshops/conferences; ensuring PEN activities are dynamic and diverse, breaking away from stereotypes; and involving new writers in PEN activities, fostering a sense of belonging among all writers.

Focusing on these themes, the Asian Pacific PEN workshop and training in Manila concluded on a positive note. However, echoing the sentiment of Nepali poet Madhav Ghimire, “The story is over, the pain is still there,” I couldn’t ignore that PEN Nepal might not have fully realized its potential. It is disheartening to acknowledge that PEN Nepal has neglected in expanding membership and has been influenced by specific individuals, thus confining the international organization like PEN Nepal within has been limited within the familial circle. Hoping for a positive change, I wish that the situation within PEN Nepal will improve for the better in the future.

The “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” is an important global campaign that runs annually from Nov 25 to Dec 10. This period serves as a critical time to raise awareness, advocate for change, and take action against gender-based violence (GBV), particularly violence against women and girls. The campaign aims to highlight the widespread nature of GBV and to encourage governments, organizations, and individuals to take concrete steps toward its eradication.

The “16 Days of Activism” campaign was launched in 1991 by the ‘Center for Women’s Global Leadership’ at Rutgers University, United States. It was created to catalyze a global movement to address violence against women, with specific dates chosen for their significance. Nov 25 marks the “International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women”, which commemorates the “Mirabal Sisters”, three Dominican women who were political activists and were murdered on 25 Nov 1960, by the secret police under the regime of Rafael Trujillo. Their assassination became a symbol of resistance against gender-based violence and state oppression. The campaign ends on Dec 10, which is ‘Human Rights Day’, commemorating the adoption of the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights” by the United Nations in 1948. This declaration affirms the right of every individual to live free from violence, discrimination, and abuse.

The legacy of the “Mirabal Sisters” plays a central role in the campaign. Patria, Minerva, and Maria Teresa were politically active women who opposed the authoritarian Trujillo regime, speaking out about the rights of women and against the brutal tactics of the government. Their tragic deaths became a rallying cry for women’s rights activists around the world, and their legacy continues to inspire the global fight against violence. The United Nations officially designated Nov 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in 1999, using their martyrdom to draw attention to the urgent need to address gender-based violence.

As per various reports and studies, violence against women remains a global epidemic, affecting “one in three women” in their lifetime. This violence can take many forms such as physical, sexual, psychological, and economic and is often perpetrated by intimate partners. GBV is deeply entrenched in social, cultural, and institutional inequalities, and its impacts are far-reaching. Factors such as “poverty”, “armed conflict”, and “cultural norms” exacerbate women’s vulnerability to violence. Women in poverty are more likely to experience abuse and lack the resources to escape it, while those in conflict zones face heightened risks of sexual violence. Harmful patriarchal systems, gender norms, and societal expectations often normalize violence, perpetuating abuse across generations.

The “16 Days of Activism” aims to achieve several key objectives. “Raising awareness” is a primary goal of the campaign. Through social media campaigns, public protests, and educational workshops, the campaign amplifies the voices of survivors and advocates, helping to break the silence around GBV and bring the issue into the global spotlight. Another central objective is “advocating for institutional change”, specifically pushing for stronger laws and policies to protect women from violence. This includes advocating for the criminalization of all forms of GBV, ensuring that survivors have access to justice, and establishing support services to help women recover from violence. “Empowering women and girls” is also a major focus of the campaign. By providing resources, education, and support, the campaign works to help women and girls live safe, healthy, and fulfilling lives, while breaking the cycle of violence. Lastly, the campaign seeks to “build solidarity” among individuals, organizations, and nations, fostering a collective global movement to end GBV and ensure gender equality.

Over the years, the “16 Days of Activism” campaign has had a significant impact. It has led to “increased legal protections” in many countries, with reforms that criminalize domestic violence, sexual harassment, and human trafficking. These legal advancements have helped ensure that survivors have access to justice and vital support services. The campaign has also played a crucial role in “raising public awareness” about gender-based violence. Through mass media, social media, and grassroots campaigns, it has sparked public dialogue on the root causes of violence and the need for social change. The campaign has inspired “global solidarity movements”, with protests, marches, and social media mobilizations uniting people from diverse backgrounds in the fight against GBV.

Looking toward the future, while the campaign has made significant progress, much work remains to be done. The future of the “16 Days of Activism” depends on continued efforts to “change social norms” and “engage men and boys” as allies in the fight against GBV. Challenging traditional notions of masculinity, promoting respectful relationships, and addressing harmful gender norms are essential for creating lasting societal change. Additionally, there is a growing emphasis on “prevention”—educating individuals about consent, healthy relationships, and the importance of gender equality. Supporting survivors remains a critical component of the campaign, ensuring that they have access to care, legal assistance, and economic resources to rebuild their lives.

In conclusion, the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” is a vital campaign that continues to raise awareness, advocate for systemic change, and build solidarity across the globe. Its impact has been profound, but the fight for gender equality and the elimination of violence is ongoing. The campaign serves as a reminder that this is not just a women’s issue, it is a human rights issue that requires the collective action of all people, regardless of gender, to ensure that women and girls everywhere can live free from violence, discrimination, and fear.

In the midst of a busy life, relaxation is a must, and a spa experience can be the perfect remedy. This week, ApEx explored the Tranquility Spa at Hotel Radisson in Lazimpat, Kathmandu, and it proved to be a delightful escape. Offering a variety of treatments such as Tranquility Shai Māliśa, Ayurvedic Māliśa, Shugandhiya Māliśa, Chattan Māliśa, Himalayan Māliśa, and Gahan Utak Māliśa, the spa incorporates Sanskrit names to blend Ayurveda with a sense of local heritage.

Our team experienced the Tranquility Shai Māliśa, and it was exceptional. The session began with a soothing foot ritual and transitioned into a combination of traditional Nepali and Western techniques designed to reduce stress, relieve muscle tension, and invigorate the body. The journey to tranquility was complete, thanks to the expert and friendly staff who ensured a relaxing and rejuvenating experience.

Their other offerings also sound intriguing, such as the Ayurvedic Māliśa—a full-body massage designed to rejuvenate the body and restore balance. “Using locally sourced herbs infused with Ayurvedic oils, this treatment is crafted to boost energy levels while addressing issues like energy imbalances, aches, chronic stiffness, and other discomforts,” it says on the service card. Ideal for those seeking a holistic remedy, the Ayurvedic Māliśa provides a deeply revitalizing experience that harmonizes both body and mind.

Recently, they have unveiled new packages on Tranquility Wellness Membership (TWM), offering discounts on spa and salon services. Customers can choose from three tiers of membership based on their preferences and budget. The Premium Membership, with a minimum deposit of Rs 100,000, provides a 60 percent discount on all spa services and a 40 percent discount on salon services for one year. The Standard Membership, requiring a deposit of Rs 50,000, offers a 50 percent discount on spa services and a 30 percent discount on salon services for six months. 

For those seeking a shorter-term option, the Basic Membership, available with a deposit of Rs 25,000, includes a 40 percent discount on spa services and a 25 percent discount on salon services for three months. Discounts are valid for the respective membership periods, with services subject to availability. Tranquility Spa aims to make relaxation and self-care more accessible, inviting customers to indulge in its premium offerings.

Their specials:

• Tranquility Shai Māliśa 
• Gahan Utak Māliśa 
• Ayurvedic Māliśa 

Location: Radisson Hotel, Lazimpat

Opening hours: 7 am to 9 pm

Contact: 9802021286/87

Online Payment: Accepted

Parking: Available