Kathmandu: The Nepal Indigenous Disabled Women Association (NIDWAN) organized an awareness program focusing on the impact of climate change on persons with disabilities in Kathmandu.

The event was held at Patan Durbar Square, where more than a dozen artists participated in a live art session. Through their paintings, they illustrated how climate change disproportionately affects people with different types of disabilities, particularly Indigenous women.

Senior artist and former Vice-Chancellor of the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts, K.K. Karmacharya, stated that although climate change impacts everyone, persons with disabilities face greater risks during disasters such as floods and landslides. He emphasized the need for inclusive support systems and timely awareness to reduce risks.

Speaking at the event, Dipak Gyawali noted that climate change is already affecting agricultural production, including crops like millet, maize, and rice. He stressed the importance of increasing public awareness and preparedness.

NIDWAN President and Associate Professor at Tribhuvan University, Pratima Gurung, said the program aimed to raise awareness among Indigenous persons with disabilities and help them better understand and prepare for climate-related risks.

She added that art can be a powerful medium to communicate complex issues and create deeper understanding. Artists participating in the event shared that the program provided a platform to exchange ideas and express the challenges faced by vulnerable communities.

Their artworks portrayed rising temperatures, melting glaciers, floods, landslides and the impact on human and animal life. The program concluded with a strong message on the importance of environmental protection, inclusivity and preparedness, emphasizing that the Earth is a shared home for all living beings.