After ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2021, Uzbekistan quickly began developing its implementation plan. This important move, driven by the government’s strong commitment to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities, presented an excellent opportunity to mainstream disability rights into national policy.
To achieve this goal, the government drafted its first National Action Plan outlining measures across a range of sectors. The World Bank supported this effort and played a key role in ensuring that the plan’s initiatives were evidence-based, aligned with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and based on international best practices.
A comprehensive diagnosis including in-depth analysis of quantitative, qualitative and legal information across nine key areas, including accessibility, employment, education and health.
Through World Bank-supported workshops and consultations with national institutions and organizations of persons with disabilities, a wealth of information was collected, leading to specific recommendations and agency proposals for their implementation. This inclusive approach ensured that the voices and concerns of persons with disabilities were effectively captured, improving the accuracy and relevance of the diagnostic work.
Evidence-based strategies: Facilitating implementation and monitoring
Based on the diagnostic work, Uzbekistan has developed an evidence-based strategy aligned with the principles of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This strategy note will serve as a guiding document for the finalization of the national strategy and national action plan.
By developing a strategy based on evidence and international best practices, Uzbekistan is well positioned to advance the implementation and monitoring of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and ensure tangible results for persons with disabilities.
Effective monitoring and evaluation: Tracking progress
Uzbekistan focused on building an effective monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system to track progress in implementing the CRPD, which consists of a set of monitoring indicators, a proposed monitoring and evaluation report template, and a booklet detailing key information on data collection.
Establishing a strong monitoring and evaluation framework will enable government agencies to systematically measure progress, identify areas for improvement, and hold stakeholders accountable for implementing necessary measures. This monitoring and evaluation effort underscores Uzbekistan’s commitment to ensuring that the rights of people with disabilities are effectively protected.
Employment Promotion: Priority Areas
Recognizing the importance of employment for people with disabilities, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction has outlined a series of proposed employment measures in its National Action Plan. The World Bank supported this effort by developing a cost sheet for these measures and providing a basis for budget consideration. By prioritizing employment for people with disabilities, Uzbekistan is fulfilling its commitment to creating inclusive workplaces and economic opportunities for people with disabilities to lead fulfilling and independent lives.
Capacity building and collaboration: Empowering stakeholders
Inclusion and progress are achieved through collaboration and capacity building. The World Bank supported the convening of in-person and online workshops involving a range of stakeholders, including government agencies and disability organizations. These workshops covered a range of topics, including social services, disability assessment, monitoring and evaluation, workforce participation, and disability-inclusive communication. Equipping stakeholders with the necessary knowledge and skills will foster a culture of inclusion and enable all sectors to contribute effectively to the implementation of the CRPD.
The main lessons learned from the work carried out are:
Involvement of persons with disabilities and their representative organizations: It is crucial to actively involve and include persons with disabilities and their representative organizations at all stages of policy-making. This includes reaching out to and involving local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as well as the most active organizations.
Consultation with these stakeholders can significantly improve the quality of diagnostic assessments and recommendations, ensuring that the concerns of people with disabilities are adequately addressed.Early involvement of NGOs can also help prioritize capacity-building topics, plan outreach activities, and determine appropriate formats for different target groups.
Engagement with organizational stakeholders: In developing effective measures to address identified issues and promote the rights of persons with disabilities in specific areas, it is essential to engage and consult thoroughly with organizational stakeholders responsible for implementation. Identifying these stakeholders and establishing consultations can be challenging, but is crucial.
Engaging with institutional actors has several advantages, including uncovering aspects of the diagnostic work that have not been considered so far, informing state actors about the content of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and a rights-based perspective on disability issues, clarifying future responsibilities, identifying potential synergies with other stakeholders, and ensuring accountability of necessary measures.
Overall, these key learnings highlight the importance of an inclusive and participatory approach in policy design and implementation, ensuring the active involvement of persons with disabilities, disability organizations and relevant institutional actors throughout the process.