Ending Stigma and Discrimination, Breaking the Cycle of Poverty and Marginalization of Persons with Disabilities (MPTF UNPRPD)

Ending Stigma and Discrimination, Breaking the Cycle of Poverty and Marginalization of Persons with Disabilities This project intends to develop and test hands-on models and tools that can efficiently help institutions and individuals fight prejudice and stereotype that prevent persons with disabilities from accessing to skills development and employment, thus perpetuating the cycle of poverty and marginalisation. It focuses specifically on TVET institutions and the Employers Organisations, as they represent key entry points for empowerment. The outputs include evidence-based research, practical tools on reasonable accommodations, social inclusive dialogue, and piloting of inclusive models that allow deconstructing disability stereotypes. This is a Joint Project implemented by UNESCO and ILO, with the financial and technical support of the United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD). This Multi-Country Project is implemented in close partnership with the national government and stakeholders in Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. Persons with disabilities are more likely than persons without disabilities to be unemployed, underemployed or economically inactive. Where they have participated in TVET, it is often in segregated settings where courses are frequently not linked to labour market demands or at a standard lower than that required by employers. And where they are employed, workers with disabilities are more likely to be in low-paid jobs with poor promotional prospects and working conditions. In general harmful cultural, religious beliefs and social and institutional/systemic prejudices and stereotypes in Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe represent a major barrier for persons with disabilities to access TVET programmes and employment. There is therefore a vicious circle between stigma and discrimination, denial of access to TVET and employment, marginalization and poor quality of life, etc. The project values and fosters experience sharing and dialogue among the benefiting countries and at the regional level. UNESCO Regional Offices for Southern and Eastern Africa (based in Harare and Nairobi), and UNESCO National Offices in Dar Es Salam, Maputo, Windhoek, as well as ILO Country Offices in Dar Es Salam, Harare, and Lusaka are the UN implementing Agencies. OPDs and their umbrella organizations, the TVET institutions, and the Employers’ and Workers’ Organizations in the four countries are key partners, as well as the National Institutions including Ministries in charge of Labour, Social Development, Higher Education, Training and Innovation. The Project closely liaises and coordinates with all relevant Multisectoral working group and committees on Disabilities in the Government and in the UNCT.

Project symbol

RAF/21/04/UND

Admin unit

CO-Dar es Salaam
CO-Harare
CO-Lusaka

Start date

01/01/2022

End date

30/06/2024

Total allocation

193884

Total expenditure

Status

Closed

192793

Development Partners

Multi Partner Trust Fund Office, UNDP

Country/Countries

United Republic of Tanzania
Zimbabwe
Namibia
Mozambique

Outcomes

Outcome 5: Gender equality and equality of treatment and opportunities for all