Handicap International experience in Afghanistan - CBM
Handicap International experience in Afghanistan - CBM
Handicap International experience in Afghanistan - CBM
- No tags were found...
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
ConclusionInclusion is a major factor to look at when formulat<strong>in</strong>g recommendations for stakeholders active <strong>in</strong> thedisability field. Today, <strong>Afghanistan</strong> does not yet have disability public policies that express commitments toequalise opportunities for persons with disability. Furthermore, while <strong>in</strong> the process of be<strong>in</strong>g established,these policies must be def<strong>in</strong>ed by the persons with disability themselves. The NDSA project <strong>in</strong> general, andthis document particularly, is a tool for organisations of persons with disability, to help them f<strong>in</strong>d their wayaga<strong>in</strong>st social and environmental barriers and their place <strong>in</strong> Afghan society. The project adopts a capabilityapproach towards disability by focus<strong>in</strong>g on what <strong>in</strong>dividuals value do<strong>in</strong>g or be<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> a given environment.It also highlights the social, economic and environmental barriers to equality that persons with disabilityundergo <strong>in</strong> the Afghan society.While progressis be<strong>in</strong>gmade towardsemployment forpersons withdisability, manybarriers rema<strong>in</strong>,especially forwomen withdisabilities andpersons liv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>remote rural areasRemove BarriersThe economic environment has a major impact on opportunities <strong>in</strong> terms of employment and autonomyof persons with disability. Generally barriers are related directly to the type of disability the <strong>in</strong>dividual has.Work<strong>in</strong>g, whether <strong>in</strong> an adm<strong>in</strong>istration, a company, <strong>in</strong> the fields or outside the compound, is a significant issuefor persons with disability. This can ultimately affect their ability to ga<strong>in</strong> an <strong>in</strong>come, or to produce food andengage <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>come generat<strong>in</strong>g activities. Inaccessibility is due to several constra<strong>in</strong>ts: impairment as well aspoverty and physical <strong>in</strong>accessibility. Other types of barriers are l<strong>in</strong>ked to attitudes and prejudice.Chang<strong>in</strong>g Social Attitudes and Beliefs Regard<strong>in</strong>g DisabilityIn <strong>Afghanistan</strong>, a problem arises from the fact that disability is not perceived <strong>in</strong> the same way everywhere,and varies accord<strong>in</strong>g to gender differences, traditional or ethnic attitudes and religious motives. Therefore,persons with disability may be more or less vulnerable <strong>in</strong> daily life and may not be subjected <strong>in</strong> the sameway to poverty. In fact, they do not constitute a homogeneous group, but various sub-groups fac<strong>in</strong>g differentneeds and opportunities.Gender ConcernsThe fact that <strong>in</strong> many areas of social and economic life, women are systematically <strong>in</strong> a worse situation thanmen is of great concern. The NDSA analysis clearly shows that women with disability are poorer, cannotaccess school, are <strong>in</strong> worse health conditions, do not participate to the labour market and, as a result ofstigmatization, are excluded from social participation. Better access for women and girls with disability tohealth services and to schools can be ensured by <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g the number of women staff.Access to Employment and Income: Chang<strong>in</strong>g PerceptionWhen asked, the first th<strong>in</strong>g persons with disability seek is a job to earn their liv<strong>in</strong>g. While progress is be<strong>in</strong>g madetowards employment for persons with disability, many barriers rema<strong>in</strong>, especially for women with disabilitiesand persons liv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> remote rural areas. The labour market, dom<strong>in</strong>ated by the agricultural sector, provides fewopportunities for the most impaired, and especially for women if they are disabled. Yet, the practice of a paidactivity is a cl<strong>in</strong>cher for social recognition, thus self-esteem and <strong>in</strong>dependence. Nevertheless, average <strong>in</strong>come ofpersons with disability is lower and the level of unemployment is higher than that for non-disabled. Even if thelevel of employment for persons with physical or sensorial disability (ma<strong>in</strong>ly men) and for war survivors is ashigh as for non-disabled persons, the level of <strong>in</strong>come rema<strong>in</strong>s lower for the former. An active employment policybased, among other measures, on a general obligation of employment of a certa<strong>in</strong> percentage of persons withdisability, both <strong>in</strong> public and private sectors, is a first step towards <strong>in</strong>clusion <strong>in</strong> the labour market.Access to Public Services: Health and EducationMany of the causes of impairments and <strong>in</strong>juries are preventable by <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g the level and quality ofantenatal care, improv<strong>in</strong>g women’s health education, improv<strong>in</strong>g immunisation, elim<strong>in</strong>at<strong>in</strong>g malnutrition and72 Understand<strong>in</strong>g the Challenge Ahead