Prayatna Nepal organized a consultation to validate a policy brief focused on improving insurance accessibility for women and girls with visual impairments and persons with disabilities in Nepal. The session was chaired by Ms. Sarita Lamichhane and facilitated by Mr. Sagar Prasai, with Mr. Sandip Thapa presenting key research findings.
The consultation highlighted significant barriers faced by persons with disabilities in accessing insurance services, including discrimination, denial of services, inaccessible information, and the lack of disability-responsive insurance products. Findings also pointed to gaps in national policies and regulatory frameworks, alongside issues such as higher premium charges, rejected applications, and limited data on insurance coverage among persons with disabilities.
Participants described the initiative as timely and important, emphasizing that insurance inclusion remains an under-researched area in Nepal. Experts recognized the policy brief as a valuable resource for advancing evidence-based advocacy and shaping inclusive insurance policies, aligned with the principle of “Nothing About Us Without Us.”
Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens expressed interest in using the policy brief as a reference for future policy discussions. Stakeholders also recommended strengthening the document by incorporating more quantitative data, awareness materials, and lived experiences of persons with disabilities.
Prayatna Nepal will integrate feedback from the consultation into the final policy brief, aiming to advocate for inclusive insurance systems and improved financial protection for persons with disabilities across Nepal. The session concluded with appreciation to all participants for their valuable contributions.