PWDs 'sidelined in dev't programs'

Jun 06, 2015

Government’s lack of reliable data on the inclusion of PWDs in development programs has affected the group, says a professor.


By Noah Jagwe

Government’s lack of nationally available and reliable data on the inclusion of Persons with Disability (PWDs) in development programs has kept the group from moving forward, says Prof. Nora Ellen Groce.

She is the director of Leonard Cheshire Disability & Inclusive Development Centre.

She made the remarks at the launch of a research program on disability that will be conducted in four African countries: Uganda, Kenya, Sierra Leone and Zambia.

The program, dubbed ‘Bridging the Gap: examining disability and development’, is aimed at helping policymakers and practitioners prioritize concerns of people with disabilities.

Prof Groce said the mentioned countries have ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as well as policies but that they are not effectively translated into action.

“We hope to get more precise knowledge to ensure that persons with disabilities are served.”

According to her, PWDs are only included in statement and not in actual services as they should.

In many societies, persons with disabilities complain about being marginalized.

And Prof. Groce agrees. She said PWDs have been treated as a separate group yet they are very much like the rest of the citizens.

It is very important that programs such as the poverty alleviation programs also target the PWDs, she added, as well as being included in other development initiatives by NGOs, civil society and other community groups.

Ngirabakunzi Edson, the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda executive director said the research program will definitely increase the support by government and advocacy work by NGOs.

He pointed out that it is a contribution towards identifying problems facing persons with disabilities.
 

 

 

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});