The United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD) Round 4 Multi-Partner Trust Fund programme Induction Training Worktop kicked off in Harare, Zimbabwe on 31 May 2021. The five day workshop ends on 4 June 2021 and is organized by UNESCO on behalf of the UN Country Team in Zimbabwe. .
Zimbabwe was selected to participate in the funding Call to develop the next-2 year UNPRPD Round 4 Multi-Partner Trust Fund programme. The UNPRPD Round 4 proposal development processes include three main preparatory stages; an Inception Phase with a Training workshop for country Multi-stakeholder Teams, Situation Analysis on Persons with Disabilities and the Full-Fledged Proposal Drafting Processes.
The Induction Workshop aims to provide an introduction to UNPRPD’s Strategic Operational Framework, basic knowledge of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and disability inclusive Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It will also deepen knowledge on the preconditions for disability inclusion required for inclusive policy making and programming (equality and non-discrimination, service delivery, accessibility, participation of persons with disabilities, CRPD compliant budgeting and financial management, and accountability and governance). Furthermore, the training seeks to develop an understanding of the cross-cutting approaches underpinning all UNPRPD joint programmes (enabling full and effective participation of persons with disabilities through their representative organisations, ensuring the inclusion of marginalized and under-represented groups of persons with disabilities and addressing gender inequality and advancing the rights of persons with disabilities).
Speaking at the opening ceremony, United Nations Resident Coordinator, Ms. Maria Ribeiro, recognised Zimbabwe’s efforts in advancing the rights of persons with disabilities in line with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Globally, remarkable progress has been made in advancing the rights of persons with disabilities in society and development. Particularly, I would like to recognize the Government of Zimbabwe for the adoption of a National Disability Policy, and for pushing forward the Disability Bill.
The comprehensive 5-day induction workshop forms part of the project formulation process and will serve to strengthen the capacity of Stakeholders on CRPD principles approaches in all sectors.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development commits to “leave no one behind.’’ The UN in Zimbabwe, continues support to Government, Organizations of Peoples with Disabilities and all people with disabilities to achieve the commitments made in the CRPD and SDGs.
It is our commitment as the United Nations to create an enabling environment by, for and with persons with disabilities in all spheres of society in line with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
UNESCO Head of Social and Human Sciences Unit and Project Team Leader, Mr. Phinith Chanthalangsy desctibed the UNPRPD project as unique and multi-dimensional.
The UNPRPD is unique in its multi-partner dimension in advancing the rights of persons with disabilities. In Zimbabwe, the project is bringing together Organizations with Disabilities (OPDs), the Government, and the UN in the capacity-building and project formulation process.
Diverse stakeholders are taking part in the workshop, including UN entities, Government officials and representatives of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities.