Training of personnel on ‘access to justice’ for women with disbailiites is mandated to ensure “leave no one behind”
Short description: (300 words maximum)
Samarthyam is a not-for-profit organization of persons with disabilities founded in 1991. In partnership with the UNESCAP, it is implementing ‘inclusive development’, focused initiatives on gender equality and empowerment of women with disabilities.
Women with disabilities are a substantial group; globally, an estimated 19% of women have a disability, compared to 12% of men[1] (WHO and World Bank, World Report on Disability, 2011). In low- and middle-income countries, 75% of persons with disabilities are women[2]. Despite substantive policy frameworks, acts, treaties and legislations, there is a lack of implementation and coherent action, with no oversight or redressal mechanisms in place. As a result, they continue to face numerous barriers and hardships in their daily lives, devoid of their basic human rights and opportunities for health, education, livelihood and leisure.
A Rajasthan State Policy of Women with Disabilities is prepared in consonance with the basic principles of equality, freedom, justice and dignity of all individuals as per the UNCRPD and the Rights for Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
Expected outcomes of the Policy (when notified):
- Empowered women with disabilities to advance local accountability and monitoring mechanisms on SDGs (Goal 5)
- Strengthened leadership roles and inclusion of women with disabilities in families and communities
- Strengthened institutional capacities, mechanisms, and processes to improve access to justice for persons with disabilities, reduce inequalities, and address gender-based violence against women with disabilities
Result/Outcome: The State Policy submitted to Government of Rajasthan is a step towards appropriate measure to ensure the full development, advancement and empowerment of women, for the purpose of guaranteeing them the exercise and enjoyment of the human rights and fundamental freedoms.
State of the project: At scale
How many years has the project been running? 1 year
Key stakeholders in the project: Government of Rajasthan, Samarthyam and UNESCAP
Where has the project been conducted? (Location): Rajasthan, India
Awards, distinctions, signs of recognition for the project: The State Policy is shared with central government to use it as a separate chapter in the National Policy on Persons with Disabilities.
[1] Empowering women and girls with disabilities in Asia and the Pacific, https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/files/Background%20Paper%20%28Empowering%20Women%20and%20Girls%20with%20Disabilities%29%20.pdf
[2] UN Women, Issue brief: Making the SDGs count for women and girls with disabilities, 2017
Author: Ms Namrata Mehta
Policy Advocacy & Social Inclusion Specialist