More than a billion people worldwide grapple with disabilities, with a staggering 80% to 90% of working-age individuals with disabilities facing unemployment in developing nations, Solidarity Center reported. The socioeconomic challenges for this demographic are stark, encompassing undereducation, higher dropout rates, limited professional integration, and elevated poverty levels.
In Central Asia, strides are being made to address these disparities, through collaborative efforts between disability rights groups and organizations like the Solidarity Center. Championing inclusive employment and education, activists such as Zakhira Begalieva of Kazakhstan's I Teach Me and Gulmira Kazakunova of Kyrgyzstan's Ravenstvo, recently converged in Vienna for the UN's 2024 Project Zero Conference. This gathering served as a platform to delve into topics like inclusive education and information and communication technology (ICT) while fostering alliances on both regional and global scales.
"Here you feel some kind of freedom and you feel that opportunities are not limited," Kazakunova remarked reflecting on the conference.
In Kazakhstan, I Teach Me offers online training for youths with disabilities, preparing them for future employment. Meanwhile, Ravenstvo in Kyrgyzstan focuses on empowering women with disabilities, providing education and advocacy to enhance their employability, and promoting inclusive education.
Despite ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2015 and 2019 respectively, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan still grapple with discrimination against people with disabilities.
In Kazakhstan, where over 750,000 individuals face daily obstacles accessing education, health, and employment, the Solidarity Center supports partners in implementing legislative measures to uphold CRPD principles. Over 34,000 workers with disabilities are now covered by initiatives aimed at promoting their employment prospects.
In Kyrgyzstan, the Solidarity Center spearheads a pioneering program targeting discrimination in employment and advocating for the labor rights of workers with disabilities. A 2022 study by the Solidarity Center revealed that a mere 20% of surveyed individuals with disabilities were employed, primarily in precarious seasonal or part-time roles. Through multifaceted approaches including legislative analysis, media campaigns, legal support, and educational initiatives, the Solidarity Center aims to effect tangible change for people with disabilities. Efforts also extend to aligning regulations in the country's labor code to better protect the rights of this marginalized group.
Unions and worker associations emerge as pivotal allies in advancing disability rights. As per the International Labor Organization (ILO), unions globally serve as robust advocates for the rights of people with disabilities in the workplace. With public-sector unions showcasing higher levels of representation for workers with disabilities, they are uniquely positioned to champion rights issues at the intersection of governance and labor.
In tandem with these regional efforts, Uzbekistan has embarked on a journey towards implementing the CRPD. Following its ratification in 2021, the country swiftly initiated the development of a comprehensive strategy for integration, signaling a firm commitment to advancing the rights of individuals with disabilities.
In pursuit of this goal, the government crafted an initial National Action Plan, delineating measures spanning various sectors. In support of this effort, the World Bank played a crucial role in ensuring that the plan's strategies are grounded in evidence, aligned with the CRPD, and informed by global best practices.
Acknowledging the significance of employment for individuals with disabilities, Uzbekistan's Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction outlined a series of proposed employment initiatives within the National Action Plan. The World Bank contributed to this initiative by devising a costing framework for these initiatives, offering a foundation for budgetary considerations. Through prioritizing employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, Uzbekistan underscores its commitment to fostering inclusive workplaces and economic prospects, empowering individuals with disabilities to pursue fulfilling and self-sufficient lives.
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