UN Joint Programme in Uzbekistan Enhances Social Services and Empowers Persons with Disabilities

During the span of 2022-2023, the participating UN entities including UNICEF, UNFPA, UNDP, OHCHR, together with national partners worked to strengthen capacity for formulating inclusive programmes, development strategies, and budgets considering disability. Furthermore, the focus was on monitoring progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the monitoring of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Key achievements during the programme  implementation include the conduct of six training sessions reaching 194 participants, comprising 130 organizations of persons with disabilities and 24 self-initiative groups of parents of children with disabilities.

These sessions were designed to enhance the capacity of organizations across Uzbekistan, covering topics such as disability inclusion, legal literacy, protection of children from gender-based violence, and combating stigma and discrimination against girls, women, and underrepresented groups.

Additionally, 50,000 nurses were trained in early detection and intervention, 500 teachers underwent professional development, and 390 individuals received training focused on inclusive budgeting practices, disability measurement, and the application of Convention principles. Moreover, 184 youth representatives and organizations enhanced their capacity in disability rights approaches and engagement with human rights mechanisms.

“This necessitates a collaborative effort from all stakeholders, including the government, civil society, and the private sector. We must strive to guarantee equal access to education, healthcare, employment, and essential services for persons with disabilities. Additionally, we must confront the negative attitudes and stereotypes that perpetuate discrimination and exclusion,” said Consuelo Vidal Bruce, UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan.  

“Since its creation, the National Agency for Social Protection demonstrated a commitment to transition to a social model of disability assessment and determination, enhancing access to disability-inclusive infrastructure, services and programmes, community care and support services, and assistive technology. Road Map on inclusion of the social model into existing disability assessment and determination system has been developed with UN’s support,” said Alberto Biancoli, a.i UNICEF Representative in Uzbekistan.

Furthermore, a specialized training module was developed for interdepartmental, multi-sectoral services, designed to address cases of gender-based violence involving individuals with disabilities. Over 200 representatives of medical, psychological, social, and law enforcement services, along with 38 representatives of disability organizations, were empowered to respond to such cases, including the provision of medical, social, and psychological assistance.

The UN Joint Programme was launched in May 2022 and implemented  by UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA, and OHCHR, with the ultimate goal of improving the delivery of social services through a rights-based approach for individuals with disabilities in Uzbekistan. A key emphasis of the Programme lies in the enhancement and establishment of accessible services at the grassroots level, ensuring inclusivity and empowerment for children and adults with disabilities.