Assessment of UN systems on Disability Inclusion

This memorable feat spearheaded by the Zimbabwe UN Resident Coordinator Maria Ribeiro ‘showcases the high -level of commitment of the UN leadership in advancing disability-inclusion in the UN system,’ as was reiterated in the UNESCO webpage.  

Zimbabwe CBM Country Director Deborah Tigere participated in the preliminary discussions together with Secretary General, Farai Maunganidze​ of the Organization of Persons with Disabilities (OPD) Zimbabwe Albino Association (ZIMAS). CBM will be the technical partner while ZIMAS will represent organisations of persons with disabilities in the assessment. 

The findings will be part of a larger agenda of the UN to advance inclusive practices for persons with disabilities at their headquarters and field levels as planned in the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy UNDIS. The UNDIS is stated as the ‘first-ever accountability framework that seeks to make the UN more inclusive of persons with disabilities,’ The framework focuses on 4 pillars which includes ‘inclusiveness’ - CBM's core approach in disability inclusive development. The four pillars are 1) leadership, strategic planning and management 2) inclusiveness 3) programming and 4) organizational culture.

CBM and ZIMAS will present the findings and recommendations to the UN which will not only strengthen disability inclusion in the UN system in Zimbabwe but also present an opportunity for future partnerships engagements in inclusion of persons with disabilities.

For more information, please read the UNESCO article.