Dagana Sets the Pace on Disability Inclusion at the Second Agenda Chikha Steering Meeting

Dagana Dzongkhag is emerging as a model of disability inclusion in Bhutan, demonstrating that community leadership, commitment, and innovation can drive transformative change for persons with disabilities (PwDs).

The Second Steering Committee meeting of Agenda Chikha was held on 15 May in Dagana Dzongkhag, organized in partnership with the Royal Government of Bhutan and the United Nations. It brought together local leaders, development partners, and disability advocates to explore avenues to deepen inclusive practices under the national disability initiative Agenda Chikha- an initiative aimed to accelerate the country's journey towards an inclusive society where all persons with disabilities are empowered to participate fully in every aspect of life.

Kinley Wangchuk, Executive Director of the Disabled People’s Organization of Bhutan, shared the rationale behind choosing Dagana as the site for the national consultation. 

“We chose Dagana because the Dzongkhag Administration has shown remarkable commitment and initiative in promoting the rights and wellbeing of persons with disabilities,” he said. “Dagana is emerging as a model for inclusive local leadership, where policies are translating into real support for persons with disabilities. We wanted to ground this national conversation in a place where inclusion is not just a goal, but a reality in action.”

With a registered population of 331 persons with disabilities, Dagana has shown that inclusion is achievable, even without large-scale resources. Examples shared during the meeting highlighted the resilience and enterprise of PwDs: from a one-handed farmer using innovative tools to cultivate land, to a grocery shop owner operating a laptop-powered business. 

Dagana Dzongkhag is committed to becoming a safe, secure, and progressive Dzongkhag, aiming to be to be a beacon of inclusivity where every individual, regardless of ability or background, has equal access to opportunities, a voice in decision-making, and the dignity to thrive. 

“Together, we will build a future that leaves no one behind,” said Dasho Tashi Tobgay, Dzongda of Dagana. “Agenda Chikha reflects a commitment to the protection of human rights and dignity, regardless of the status, gender or circumstances and fostering the culture of inclusivity, equity, and shared opportunity.”

The meeting acknowledged important government budget allocations under the 13th Five-Year Plan to accelerate disability-inclusive development. The meeting included presentations, discussions, and interactive sessions on key topics such as reasonable accommodation, moving away from the charity model and into a rights-based model, and the evolving role of AI in enabling inclusion. 

Addressing the gathering, the Member of the National Council and Social and Cultural Affairs Committee, Kesang Chuki Dorjee, emphasized, highlighted both challenges and success stories, the structural inaccessibility, stigma, and social exclusion experienced by persons with disabilities, while also recognizing progress. 

There are nearly 48,000 persons with disabilities in Bhutan, according to the National Health Survey. Each person with a disability has a unique perspective and experience that is shaped by their environment and those around them.

The Steering Committee of Agenda Chikha endorsed the updated Compendium of Action reaffirming their shared commitment to advancing disability inclusion across the country. The Compendium details more than 40 ongoing and upcoming initiatives under the landmark Agenda Chikha framework, launched in November 2024. 

The Compendium also offers a space for innovation and collaboration, showcasing promising unfunded proposals seeking development partner support. These include initiatives such as the “Tourism for All” programme, inclusive agri-food value chains, and visibility campaigns within the 13th Five-Year Plan.

The Agenda Chikha Steering Committee, established in 2024, serves as a sounding board and gathering space to bring together all those working on disability inclusion in Bhutan.   The second meeting of the Steering Committee had a renewed focus on engaging local governments, village leaders, and the monastic community in a more meaningful way.

Timothy Wilson, Head of the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office in Bhutan, emphasized the deeper values underpinning the country’s journey toward inclusion. 

“A core component of inclusiveness is humility, kindness, and patience, qualities Bhutan is renowned for,” he said. “These values are not just cultural strengths, they are powerful tools we can draw upon to ensure that persons with disabilities are truly seen, heard, and included. Agenda Chikha is not about charity, it’s about justice, dignity, and the collective responsibility to shape a society where everyone can thrive.”

Looking ahead, the next Agenda Chikha Steering Committee meeting is slated for December 2025. In the interim, government agencies, civil society organizations, and development partners will continue to work hand-in-hand to turn the commitments in the Compendium of Action into meaningful change on the ground, ensuring that the promise of inclusion becomes a lived reality for every person with a disability in Bhutan.