UNICEF and Association of Disabled People of Uzbekistan Empower Organizations to Promote Rights of Persons with Disabilities

In 2022-2023, approximately 200 representatives of organizations of people with disabilities in Namangan, Kokand, Bukhara, Samarkand, Nukus and Tashkent participated in trainings. Throughout the training sessions, parent groups received valuable legal and advisory support regarding the registration of OPDs and the continued development of their organizations. Moreover, representatives from over 40 organizations of persons with disabilities acquired skills to effectively advocate for the rights of people with disabilities at both the local and national levels.

Addressing participants of the workshop, Geoffrey Ijumba, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Uzbekistan, emphasized the significance of meaningful and sustainable participation of persons with disabilities in ensuring the successful implementation of all programmes, not just those related to disability. This collaboration between UNICEF and the Association of Disabled People of Uzbekistan signifies a step towards promoting the rights of persons with disabilities and fostering a more inclusive society.

This crucial initiative falls under the United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD) Joint Programme "Transformation of Social Services Delivery: Implementing a Human Rights-Based Approach for Children, Youth, and Women with Disabilities in Uzbekistan." One of the programme’s key objectives is to strengthen the capacity of OPDs and facilitate the establishment of organizations that represent the interests of children with disabilities.