02511nas a2200193   4500000000100000008004100001653001700042653002400059653001000083653001200093653001100105653001600116100001600132700001300148700001400161245010200175856009500277520194500372       2017                            d10aWater access10aPhysical disability10aNepal10aleprosy10aGender10aAgriculture1 aHoffmann OM1 aYakami S1 aDhakal SC00aBreaking down barriers: gender and disability in access to agricultural water management in Nepal  uhttp://www.sawasjournal.org/files/SAWAS%205(4)%202017/Article%202-SAWAS%205(4),%202017.pdf3 a<p>A huge gap persists in studies and development work in examining the intersection between gender and disability in the field of agriculture and water management. Meantime, feminist and physical disability literature (studies about physical disabilities) as well as analyses between the two have contributed to further insights; however, these have failed to integrate dimensions of agricultural water management to improve gender balanced and disability friendly programmes for Nepal’s agriculture dependent population. This paper examines the challenges faced by persons with disabilities due to leprosy and by marginalised women in accessing water for agriculture, by focusing on the way in which gender and disability intersect, the combined influence they have on access to water for agriculture, and the extent to which improved access to water for agriculture leads to improved gender and disability inclusion. Data collection was done through primary research methods and techniques. The results of the research show that the barriers that women and persons with disabilities encounter in agriculture and water management intersect at the point of exclusion. In terms of the social, for both women and persons with disabilities, here is a stigma; and in terms of developmental exclusion, government and development agents either entirely neglect these vulnerable groups or are incapacitated to appropriately address and facilitate change.&nbsp; Decision-making and participation in agriculture and water management depend on several drivers such as, the distribution of authority and responsibilities, ownership of land and access to water, and&nbsp;participating in irrigation. This study argues that access to information and participation is paramount for the inclusion of vulnerable groups in rural areas of Nepal in the social, environmental (physical), and institutional dimensions and can reduce stigma and neglect.</p>