Agenda Chikha: Advancing Disability Inclusion in Wangdue Phodrang

The meeting brought together local government leaders, civil society organisations, monastic representatives, development partners, and United Nations agencies to review progress, address emerging challenges, and agree on next steps under Agenda Chikha, Bhutan’s joint disability inclusion initiative (2024–2027).

Wangdue Phodrang was selected as the host district both in recognition of its strong local leadership and its relatively high proportion of persons with disabilities . Holding the meeting outside Thimphu reflected Agenda Chikha’s commitment to decentralisation, regional representation, and ensuring that national policies are shaped by local realities.

Policy commitments to implementation on the ground

Participants reaffirmed that persons with disabilities in Bhutan continue to face barriers to full participation in social, economic, and civic life. These include persistent stigma, gaps in accessibility, limited availability of disaggregated data, and uneven policy implementation at the local level.

Presenting an overview of the national situation, Dorji Phuntsho, a UNV with UNDP, highlighted the importance of strengthening disability data systems and community awareness. He noted that while Bhutan is steadily shifting from a welfare-based approach toward a rights-based framework, sustained progress depends on accurate identification of persons with disabilities, consistent local-level implementation, and continued efforts to address stigma and unconscious bias.

Local leadership as a driver of inclusion

A central focus of the meeting was the role of local governments and village leaders in advancing disability inclusion. Sharing updates from Dagana and insights relevant to Wangdue, Phurpa Wangchuk, Governance Associate with UNDP, emphasised that decentralised action is essential, as local authorities are often best placed to understand context-specific challenges and implement practical solutions.

Gups (local leaders) from Wangdue Phodrang outlined planned and proposed initiatives, including door-to-door consultations with persons with disabilities, the integration of accessibility considerations into construction approvals, relocation of Gewog offices to ground floors, and measures to improve access to cultural and public spaces.

Education, livelihoods, and social protection

Participants underscored inclusive education as a priority, noting that access to learning remains one of the most significant challenges for children with disabilities. The discussion highlighted the need for skilled and trained educators, particularly in areas such as early intervention, inclusive teaching strategies, and support for children with diverse learning needs.

Bishnu B. Mishra, Education Officer with UNICEF, emphasised that education should be understood broadly, encompassing formal, non-formal, and informal learning, including basic life skills. Participants also stressed that education must be complemented by livelihood opportunities and social protection in order to enable persons with disabilities to live with dignity.

Strengthening inclusion through targeted initiatives

The Steering Committee discussed several initiatives to further strengthen disability inclusion under Agenda Chikha. These included proposals to establish an Agenda Chikha Trust Fund, roll out nationwide training for ECCD facilitators on early intervention and Bhutanese Sign Language, develop an Inclusive Play World (Druk Play World) model, and organise a national Chikha Festival celebrating the abilities and leadership of persons with disabilities.

A dedicated session on accessibility audits, introduced standardised tools to assess the accessibility of buildings, services, and communication systems, providing a practical framework to guide inclusive participation.

Inclusive workplaces and institutional accountability

Sharing regional perspectives, Milica Markovic, Human Resources Officer (UNDCO Asia-Pacific) , highlighted the importance of accessibility and reasonable accommodation in workplaces. She noted that inclusive environments not only enable persons with disabilities to participate fully and contribute meaningfully, but also strengthen organisational effectiveness through greater diversity and engagement.

Marking International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Coinciding with the global observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December, participants marked the occasion by hoisting Lung Dar, honouring the contributions of persons with disabilities and reaffirming the collective commitments to inclusion policies into tangible action.

Looking ahead

The meeting concluded with key agreements to expand engagement with the private sector, strengthen disability awareness among local leaders to better inform planning processes, and continue holding Steering Committee meetings outside Thimphu to promote regional inclusion. The next Agenda Chikha Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for May 2026.

Agenda Chikha continues to serve as a collaborative platform bringing together government agencies, civil society, monastic institutions, development partners, and persons with disabilities to advance a more inclusive and equitable Bhutan.