Stakeholders’ meetings report

Summary

The report describes four Stakeholders’ Meetings organised by Shanta Memorial Rehabilitation Center (SMRC) in Bhubaneswar and Rajnagar, aimed at sharing survey findings on climate change adaptation and Women with Disabilities, gathering stakeholder feedback on barriers to policy implementation, and identifying adaptation measures for women with disabilities affected by coastal erosion.

Government departments, NGOs, local ward members, ICDS officers, Panchayat Extension Officers, journalists, and respondents from Rajnagar participated. Presentations highlighted that coastal erosion has severely affected life and livelihood in Satabhaya, with Women with Disabilities facing double discrimination, lack of quality education, unawareness of social security schemes, crop and livestock losses, mobility issues, and limited livelihood opportunities.

Stakeholders and government representatives discussed adaptation options such as planned relocation, cyclone shelters, assistive devices, pensions, agencyship for selling fertilisers and seeds, small-scale food processing, jute farming, goat and poultry rearing, climate resilient crops, rainwater harvesting, aquaculture, kitchen gardens, SHG‑based enterprises, crop insurance, and access to schemes under DAFE, MGNREGA, Kalia Yojana, Bhima Bhoi Samarthya Abhiyan, and MUDRA loans.

The meetings emphasised accessibility, inclusion, awareness of government schemes, livelihood support, and the need for policies addressing domestic violence and empowering Women with Disabilities, concluding with efforts to connect 20 women with disabilities to networks and information on adaptation measures.