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Disability-Inclusive Elections in Africa: a Qualitative Systematic Review August 2017

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Disability-Inclusive Elections in Africa: a Qualitative Systematic Review August 2017 Disability-inclusive elections in Africa: a qualitative systematic review August 2017 1 Contents Acronyms 3 Acronyms 25 Question 3: Strategies to support inclusive elections Acronym Description 4 Abstract 25 Legislation and policies AACODS Authority, Accuracy, Coverage, Objectivity, Date, Significance BVR Biometric voter registration 6 Introduction 25 Adjustments of the physical infrastructure CASP Critical Appraisal Support programme 8 Methods 26 Representation of people with CSO Civil society organizations disabilities’ interests by DPOs 8 Search strategies CODEO Coalition of Domestic Election Observers 27 Financial and technical 8 Sifting and selection DA District Assembly assistance from international 8 Data extraction and quality assessment development donors DIFID Department for International Development DPO Disabled people’s organisation 9 Results 30 Question 4: Impact of interventions on the participation of people with DRC Democratic Republic of the Congo 9 Search results disabilities in electoral processes EC Electoral Commission 10 Characteristics of documents identified EISA Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa 32 Discussion EPPSP Electoral and Political Processes Strengthening Program 16 Question 1: Laws and policies for 33 Limitations and strengths political rights of persons with FAQ Frequently asked questions disabilities 34 References GAB Ghana Association of the Blind 16 Global legislation 36 Appendix 1 – Search terms GESP Ghana Electoral Support Programme 17 National legislation GFD Ghana Federation of the Disabled 37 Appendix 2 – Search strategy ID Identification 20 Question 2: Barriers faced by people with disability in accessing political 39 Appendix 3 – Data extract and critical IFES International Foundation for Electoral Systems participation appraisal form USAID United States Agency for International Development NDB National Disability Board NEC National Electoral Commission NDI National Institute for International Affairs NGO Non-governmental organisation SADC The Southern African Development Community STAR Strengthening Transparency, Accountability and Responsiveness in Ghana Authors UN United Nations Bhavisha Virendrakumar, Emma Jolley, Eric Badu, Rachel Murphy, Elena Schmidt Voice Ghana Voice of People with Disability Ghana 2 Disability-inclusive elections in Africa: a qualitative systematic review 3 Abstract Results Conclusion In total, 54 documents were included in the Limitations of the literature included in review. Nine documents focused on the global this review suggest that activities aiming at Introduction Methods level; the remaining ones were country- increased political participation of people with specific with the majority of documents disabilities in Africa are poorly documented. The right to vote is critical to democracy We searched relevant electronic databases providing information on Ghana and Nigeria. Most of the sources identified were of low and the United Nations Convention on the and websites of service providers and donor Overall, the documents identified were quality, and it is impossible to draw any Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) organisations working in this field. We also diverse in their design, scope and content. definitive inferences on which interventions underscores the equal right of people with contacted authors and organisations for The findings show that although most African work, where and for whom. This systematic disabilities to participate in political life. Yet, relevant reports, and reviewed reference countries ratified important disability- review identifies an urgent need for high in many low income countries, including those lists of included documents. Sources focused legislation and proclaimed equal quality impact evaluations and research in Africa, people with disabilities are often containing empirical primary data (written opportunities, the implementation of the to assess the existing and newly proposed unable to cast their vote or stand for political in English, French and Portuguese, primarily legislation varies greatly, and the practices policies and programmes on political inclusion election in their local institutions. They are or substantively focusing on the political are not homogenous across the continent. of people with disabilities in Africa. therefore excluded from political and social participation of people with disabilities in Political participation challenges experienced engagement and cannot fully exercise and Africa, and published from 2006 onwards) by people with disabilities can occur at any enjoy their guaranteed rights. were included in the review. Titles and stage, including pre-electoral, electoral and abstracts were reviewed by one author post-electoral processes, and can be broadly Aim against the predefined inclusion criteria. categorised into three groups: Two authors independently extracted data This systematic review aimed to identify, and assessed the quality of the documents 1. lack of education and financial resources; appraise and synthesise all available meeting the inclusion criteria. The data 2. stigma and negative social attitudes and; evidence to understand: extraction and appraisal forms were developed by the authors. 3. inaccessible physical infrastructure. 1. what experiences and practices have already taken place in African countries to The majority of the documents included support political participation of people information on strategies to support inclusive with disabilities and; electoral and political processes. However, the impact of these on political participation 2. what effect they have had on the political of people with disabilities remains unclear. inclusion of people with disabilities at local The majority of the sources were descriptive and national levels across the continent. in nature; and although they suggested that a number of countries in Africa and their international partners are working towards removing barriers to political participation of people with disabilities, the theory of change underpinning these strategies was generally poorly articulated and the effect of the tested interventions was not reported in any quantifiable way. In addition, the included documents were mainly grey literature, such as observation reports, case studies, press releases, dissertations and manuals, and as such these were attributed low confidence and high risk of bias. It is therefore unclear whether the findings reported are a reasonable representation of the phenomenon of interest. 4 Disability-inclusive elections in Africa: a qualitative systematic review 5 In response to the systematic exclusion and In order to understand the best way to Introduction discrimination of people with disabilities in approach this work, this systematic review electoral and political processes, and in line aims to identify, appraise and combine all Voting is a fundamental aspect of the representatives, including the right and with its empowerment and inclusion strategic available evidence to understand (a) what democratic process. This provides individuals opportunity for persons with disabilities to framework (published in 2015), Sightsavers experiences and practices have already with a voice to influence decisions that affect vote and be elected”1, 3. Article 12 focuses on is keen to start a programme to promote taken place in Africa and (b) what effect they their lives. However, people with disabilities legal capacity, an issue that often affects the the political participation of people with have had on the participation of people with have often been discriminated against in this right to vote of persons with intellectual or disabilities in sub-Saharan Africa through disabilities in political life at local and national regard. In response to the historical exclusion psychological disabilities. It calls to ensure inclusive elections. Sightsavers’ empowerment levels across the continent. and inclusion strategy4 states: of people with disabilities from social and that “persons with disabilities have the right The questions we sought to answer are: political processes, the United Nations (UN) to recognition everywhere as persons before “The right to vote is critical to General Assembly adopted the Convention the law,” they “enjoy legal capacity on an equal 1. What laws and policies exist in countries in on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities basis with others” and they have support democracy and the United Nations Africa to ensure the participation of people (CRPD) in December 20061. The CRPD report in exercising these rights. In the context of Convention on the Rights of with disabilities in national, district and is an international human rights treaty, which elections and political processes, this means Person with Disabilities (UNCRPD) local elections? promotes, protects, and ensures the full election laws should be void of provisions that enjoyment of human rights by persons with restrict the right to vote of persons under underscores the equal right of people 2. What are the barriers and enablers of disabilities. The UNCRPD was a landmark guardianship, and if a voter requires support, with disabilities to participate in participation of people with disabilities document for the UN; it was the first he or she should be provided assistance. political life. Yet, in many countries in national, district and local elections in Africa? comprehensive human rights treaty of the people with visual impairment, 21st century, which made a large step towards Aligned with the
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