Understanding Disability and Indigenous Livelihood Practices in West Nawalparasi, Nepal

Abstract

The inclusion of persons with disabilities in livelihood opportunities is a critical aspect of promoting social equity and economic empowerment in Nepal. This article explores understandings of disability in the local context and indigenous livelihood practices among the Tarain Madhesi and Tharu communities, with a focus on the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in participating in livelihood activities. This study used mainly the qualitative method and approach, combining qualitative interviews with persons with disabilities, their families, employers, policymakers, and community organizations, and observations, and analyzed the existing local government's recent reports. This study mainly identified that persons with disabilities are less included in the local levels, such as livelihood opportunities, hindered mainly by the existing systematic, social, and physical barriers that are rooted in religious norms and KARMA beliefs. Relative effects of power in the system, cultural hegemony, and stereotyped mindsets are the key causes, where challenging existing discriminative narrations on disability with intentional opportunities for persons with disabilities in livelihood opportunities, promotion of indigenous livelihood practices, and breaking the cultural hegemony with an inclusive system are the suggested implications.