Blind and visually impaired women and girls are one of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups in Nepal. The COVID-19 pandemic made their situation even worse. The demand of menial jobs like street singing, massage, etc. that they had been doing have sharply gone down. These blind and visually impaired women and girls, particularly those living in rural areas are struggling to manage their basic livelihood. The Blind Women Association Nepal (BWAN) intends to help them through distribution of warm clothes to help them through the harsh winter.
Objectives
- to distribute winter clothes and blankets to blind and visually impaired women and girls in Nepal and assist them with their livelihood
- to extend moral support to the parents of blind and visually impaired women and girls
Selection and implementation
The selection committee consisted of a five-member team from the BWAN board, advisor and staff. Factors considered during selection were unemployed, have lost their self-employed jobs, additional disability, and no or meagre monthly income. Punya Foundation Nepal provided procurement and logistic support.
The BWAN distributed warm clothes to the identified vulnerable blind and visually impaired women and girls amidst a program on 15 January 2021. The program was attended by BWAN’s office bearers, among others, its President Ms Sita Subedi, Program Officer Ms Laxmi Nepal, Ms Anita Koirala Legal Aid Lawyer, Ms Kalpana Chaudhary, Program Assistant and Ms Ranju Karki Program Assistant. Punya Foundation Nepal was represented by its President Mr Mohan Niraula and treasurer Mr Roshan Niraula.
The beneficiaries of the winter clothes distribution program and their districts were:
- Ms Amrita Thapa, Jumla
- Ms Gyani maya Shrestha, Bhaktapur
- Ms Maya Rai, Dhankuta
- Ms Devaki Poudel, Panauti
- Ms Mankumari Nagarkoti, Syayambhu
- Ms Basanti Kumal, Bajhang
- Ms Kaushila Gurung, Jhapa
- Ms Basanti Kaphly, Jumla
- Ms Sunita Nepali, Kailali
- Ms Sapana Bohara, Tanahu
- Ms Mandira Pandya, Surkhet
- Ms Apechhya Gurung, Palpa
- Ms Laxmi Budha, Jumla
- Ms Shusila Pariyar, Jumla
- Ms Parbati Shrestha, Dailekha
Punya Foundation Australia’s state team Queensland collected funds to sponsor the program.