The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, in partnership with the Ford Foundation, cordially invites you to participate in a webinar launching the reports on the right of persons with disabilities to participate in political and public life in Namibia and Malawi. 

Friday 3 December 2021
09:00 - 10:30(SATS) / 08:00 - 09:30(WAT) /10:00 - 11:30(EAT)

Background

Article 29 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities requires State parties to guarantee that persons with disabilities have political rights, as well as the opportunity to enjoy them on an equal basis with others. Article 29 further requires State parties to promote an environment in which persons with disabilities can effectively and fully participate, without discrimination, in the conduct of public affairs and to encourage their participation in public affairs. Research shows that persons with disabilities encounter numerous barriers in participating in political and public life on an equal basis with others in Namibia and Malawi. 

The ineffective participation by persons with disabilities in public and political life can partly be attributed to inadequate research into the specific barriers which hinder their effective participation, and how those barriers can be overcome. The Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, conducted a comprehensive study on the barriers to ensuring the right to public and political participation for persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others, either directly or through freely chosen representatives, including the right and opportunity for persons with disabilities to vote and be elected. The purpose of the research study was to map out the various barriers to ensuring the right to public and political participation for persons with disabilities, with a view to proposing ways to overcome these barriers. 

Objective

• The objective of the launch is to share the findings of the research project.

For more information, please contact: