Human Rights Based Approach at Sida Compilation of Briefs on Persons with Disabilities
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Human Rights Based Approach at Sida Compilation of Briefs on Persons with Disabilities Briefs on Persons with Disabilities Sub-Saharan Africa South East Asia 1. Sub-Saharan Africa 18. South East Asia 2. Burkina Faso 19. Afghanistan 3. Democratic Republic of Congo 20. Bangladesh 4. Ethiopia 21. Cambodia 5. Kenya 22. Myanmar 6. Liberia 7. Mali Western Balkans 8. Mozambique 23. Western Balkans 9. Rwanda 10. Somalia Eastern Europe 11. Sudan and South Sudan 24. Eastern Europe 12. Tanzania 13. Uganda Latin America 14. Zambia 25. Colombia 15. Zimbabwe 26. Guatemala Middle East and North Africa 16. Middle East and North Africa 17. Palestine Art.no.: sida61918en, urn:nbn:se:Sida-61918en Introduction Human Rights Based Approach at Sida Human Rights Based Approach and The Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA) is estab- Persons with Disabilities lished in Swedish policy, where it is called the rights Promoting and increasing respect for the human perspective. It is based on the UN Universal Declara- rights of boys, girls, men and women with disabilities tion of Human Rights and adopted conventions, and is is a Swedish priority. This compilation includes 26 a central starting point for development cooperation. briefs with information and guidance on the appli- The integration and application of a HRBA in devel- cation of a HRBA in relation to persons with disabil- opment cooperation is relevant in the analysis and ities. There are briefs for almost every country and/ management of operations and in the dialogue and or region where Sweden is engaged in development cooperation with partners and other stakeholders. cooperation. The briefs provide basic information about the situation of persons with disabilities and For Sida, applying a HRBA implies both what to be inspire discussions on what Sweden could do to achieved and how it can be done. A HRBA is primarily better include disability rights in programmes and applied through the four principles of non-discrimi- dialogue. nation, participation, transparency and accountability. The main purpose of a HRBA is to empower boys, In addition, there are two other compilations of briefs girls, men and women to claim their human rights available: one on information and guidance on the (as rights holders) and to increase the capacity of application of a HRBA in different thematic areas and those who are obliged to respect, promote, protect one on information and guidance on the application and fulfi l those rights (as duty bearers). of the HRBA in relation to LGBTI persons. Sida has developed methodological material on how to integrate a HRBA into development cooperation. More information about the methodological The methodological material is intended to provide material is available on: Sida staff with information, tools and inspiration to apply a HRBA. It includes a number of HRBA related information briefs on a range of issues. However, Sida partners and stakeholders have also found the material useful. The methodological material includes guidance on practical application of a HRBA in various thematic areas, and addressing and including the human rights of children, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans- gender and Intersex (LGBTI) persons and persons with disabilities. The LGBTI and disability briefs are available for almost all countries and regions where Sida works. Disability Rights in Sub-Saharan Africa January 2015 This brief gives an overview of disability rights in depending on the definitions and measurement the Sub-Saharan region, with focus on Sida tools used. The Convention of the Rights of partner countries; DRC, Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) uses a broad Mali, Mozambique, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan and definition of disability: “Persons with disabilities South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and include those who have long-term physical, Zimbabwe. mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their The situation of persons with disabilities in full and effective participation in society on an Sub-Saharan Africa equal basis with others”. Many countries still have Persons with disabilities do not make up a small, narrower, medical definitions in their laws as these insignificant group. As much as one out of seven have not yet been adapted to the CRPD. These (15 per cent), or more than one billion women, narrow definitions often refer to specific bodily men and children live with a disability according to limitations (such as “loss of function in more than the World Report on Disability, 2011. Most of them two limbs” or “less than 10% of normal vision live in developing countries. In Sida partner despite wearing glasses”). This means that 50-58 countries in Sub Saharan Africa statistics indicate million persons with disabilities live in the Sida a prevalence of 5%- 17.6% (table below) partner countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Country Prevalence Number Country Prevalence (%) Number (%) DRC 11% 7.4 million Somalia 15% 1.5 million Ethiopia 17.6% 16.5 million Sudan and 5%-15% 1.9-5.7 million South Sudan 0.6-1.7 million Kenya 8.6 % 3.8 million Tanzania 7.8% 3.8 million Liberia 16% 0.8 million Uganda 16% 6 million Mali 8.9% -11.7% 1.4-1.8 million Zambia 13,3% 1.9 million Mozambique 6%-15% 1.5-3.8 million Zimbabwe 11% 1.5 million Rwanda 5%-15% 0.5-1.7 million Total 50-58 million It is estimated that 82 per cent of persons with many obstacles they face in their everyday lives. disabilities live below the poverty line. One in five In many countries, persons with disabilities are still of the worlds’ poorest is a person with a disability. prevented from rights such as being permitted to World Bank statistics show that 30 per cent of out marry, opening a bank account, voting, working, of school children are children with disabilities. having legal capacity, getting education, etc. – and Only 3 per cent of persons with disabilities are are sometimes even denied the right to life. The literate, 1 per cent when it comes to women. World Report on Disability has published detailed People with disabilities have generally poorer provides examples about what works to overcome health, lower education achievements, fewer barriers to health care, rehabilitation, education, economic opportunities and higher rates of poverty employment, and support services, and to create than people without disabilities. This is largely due the environments which will enable people with to the lack of services available to them and the disabilities to flourish. The report ends with a concrete set of recommended actions for set the agenda and decide “what they need”. The governments and their partners. Detailed disability claims of the deaf community for official and poverty studies have also been published by acceptance and use of sign language and the World Bank for Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, availability of interpreters, is often ignored. The Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe. situation of person with intellectual disabilities is of even lower priority as often persons with Women with disabilities face significantly more intellectual disabilities are considered to be “less difficulties - in both public and private spheres - in productive”, although with support they could attaining access to adequate housing, health, contribute to family income and daily life. Lack of education, vocational training and employment, support mechanisms leads to family poverty and and are more likely to be institutionalised. They many single mothers struggle to make ends meet also experience inequality in hiring, promotion (due to fathers leaving the tough situation). rates and pay for equal work, access to training Persons with mental health conditions are often and retraining, credit and other productive ignored and stigmatised, despite this type of resources, and rarely participate in economic disability being rather common, especially in decision-making. Women and girls with disabilities countries where stress from conflict, disasters and are at higher risk of gender-based violence, sexual poverty is high. Conditions in mental hospitals are abuse, neglect, maltreatment and exploitation. often inhumane and in some African countries Every minute more than 30 women are seriously exorcism is a growing phenomenon as “treatment”. injured or disabled during labour and those 15-50 million women generally go unnoticed. Having a society, where everybody is protected and can participate and contribute is not only a The prevalence of disability is increasing due to human right but it is also good for economic population ageing, the global increase in chronic growth and poverty reduction. Governments and health problems, but also negative impact on donors increasingly recognise the rights of health from environment, road traffic accidents, persons with disabilities and many have made natural disasters, conflicts, and unhealthy life style. commitments in policies and plans. Almost 160 In conflict areas, persons with disabilities are left countries have ratified the CRPD and started to behind when people flee, they have difficulty reform legislation and policies. Still, very little is accessing food and shelter and their numbers done in practice to address the rights violations of increase as a result injuries from e.g. bombs, men, women and children with disabilities. The mines, small arms, rape. major barriers mentioned in the World Report on Persons with various types of disabilities have very Disability are: different levels of inclusion and support. Persons • Inadequate policies and standards with mobility limitations are often prioritised in • disability related programmes, especially in Negative attitudes • conflicts and disasters (aiming at surgeries, Lack of provision of services physical adaptations or assistive devices). • Problems of service delivery Persons with visual impairments are second in line • Inadequate funding to be considered as their disability is also mainly • Lack of accessibility seen as a practical limitation. When it comes to • Lack of consultation and involvement persons with hearing impairments, the measures • Lack of data and evidence.