v20221117 AHIABGA UnityNet Africa and Diaspora UNAD Advocating for Better Services for People with Disabilities Patrick Nkhoma Trylife Foundation

1. UNAD Malawi
advocating for better services
for people with disabilities
disability is not inabiliby
Nov. 17, 2022

2. Introduction Actionable Items
Agenda
Presentation Interactive Discussions/ Q&A

3. i. introduction
According to the 2018 Population
and Housing Census, there are
1,734,250 persons with disabilities
in Malawi, representing about 11.6
percent of the total population
aged above 5 years. Of the total
population of persons with
disabilities, 134,636 are persons
with albinism.
UNFPA Malawi 2018
Malawi, known as the ‘Warm Heart of Africa’,
is a country located in the sub-Saharan region
of the continent and bordered by the countries
of Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique. With a
population of over 19 million people, the
country is known widely for its valiant efforts
to overcome tremendous life-impacting and
societal odds, namely those with acute
problems related to poverty, illness, and
economic hardship (Ministry of Education
(MoE) & United Nations Educational,
Scientific, and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO), 2004; United Nations Department
of Public Information, 2007).

4. Malawi’s Special Needs Education Policy
ii. special educational needs
National Policy on Equalization/Disability
2004
SEN Policy 2007
Education for All Policy 1994
The World Health Organisation and the World Bank estimate that one billion people experience some form of
disability. Of those, it is estimated that 93 to 150 million are children. According to Plan International, these
children are 10 times less likely to go to school than other children and when they do attend school, it is
likely to be in a segregated setting. The Global Partnership for Education estimates that 90% of children with
disabilities in low and lower-middle-income countries do not go to school. In 2016 the UN reported that less
than half of the world’s six million refugee children were in school whilst in a report on the education of
Syrian refugee children, Human Rights Watch identified that refugee children with disabilities faced
particular and ongoing barriers to school enrolment.
Children with disabilities have very low rates of initial enrolment. Even if they do attend school, children with
disabilities are more likely to drop out and leave school early without transitioning to secondary school and
beyond (GCE, Equal Rights, equal opportunity report, 2014). Children with disabilities are also at increased
risk of school violence and bullying, preventing the safe enjoyment of their right to education (UNESCO,
School violence and bullying: Global status report, 2016).

5. lack of accessibility, both in terms of physically
inaccessible school buildings and unsuitable
learning materials
discrimination and prejudice which prevents
people with disabilities from accessing
education on equal terms to others
exclusion or segregation from mainstream
school settings (also referred to as ‘regular
schools’) inferior quality of education, including
in mainstream settings where children with
disabilities have been ‘integrated’ into the
existing non-inclusive system
These facts and figures reflect the impact of the
significant ongoing barriers to education faced by
many people with disabilities, which include:
Human rights law seeks to directly tackle these
issues by placing obligations on states to respect,
protect, and fulfil the right to education of people
with disabilities, through the implementation of
‘inclusive education’.

6. iii. stigma &
discrimination against
persons with disabilities
stigma & discrimination leaves people feel lonely
although the government and stakeholders are doing a good
job in ensuring that all people enjoy their rights, the
socioeconomic needs of persons with disabilities are still vast.
Persons with disability contribute a significant number in the
population but are still facing challenges to access basic services,”
lack of wheelchairs/ challenge to mobility
Reluctance to seek help or treatment and less likely to stay with
treatment
Social isolation
Lack of understanding by family, friends, coworkers, or others
Fewer opportunities for work, school or social activities or
trouble finding housing
Bullying, physical violence, or harassment
The belief that you'll never succeed at certain challenges or that
you can't improve your situation

7. iv. actionable items The PLEDGE
Educate yourself
One of the most important things
anyone can do when it comes to
battling disability stigmas is to simply
take the time to find out more about
mental and physical health problems.
Education is the first step to solving
problems in every aspect of our lives,
so why not find out more about
disabilities so that you can separate
facts from stereotypes and myths.
Be supportive
Treating people with dignity and respect
is so important when it comes to
reducing the stigma of disabilities.
Consider the way that you would want to
be treated if you were in their shoes. If
you have any co-workers, friends of
family members who have mental or
physical disabilities, always try to find
wants to reach out and help them in
whatever way possible
Be inclusive
It is illegal in many countries to
discriminate against those who have
mental health problems which
means that it is illegal to not offer
someone a job, healthcare or
housing based on their disabilities.
This ideology can be carried forward
into your everyday life- make sure
that you are always being as
inclusive as possible when it comes
to dealing with all individuals,
whether they are different to you or
not.
Be careful with your words
The way that we speak and the
language we use can have a
significant impact of reducing the
stigmas associated with disability.
We tend to use derogatory
language without thinking about it
and this can not only be hurtful
when directed at someone but can
also slow progress when it comes
to challenging the stereotypes
that have been established by
other people.
SOCIALIST HEALTH ASSOCIATION

8. UNAD Malawi - Chapter President
UNAD - Continental Projects Director
TRYLIFE FOUNDATION - Executive
Director
WhatsApp: +265999245271
email: patricknkhoma055@gmail.com
unitynetmalawi@gmail.com
PATRICK ULEMU NKHOMA
Thank you for participating