Promoting social inclusion of persons with disabilities

Transforming Social Protection for Persons with Disabilities in Georgia

Promoting social inclusion of persons with disabilities

Photo: Leli Blagonravova/UNDP

Summary

The Joint Programme “Transforming Social Protection for Persons with Disabilities in Georgia” is an initiative of six UN agencies - United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), Office of High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and World Health Organization (WHO). Funded by the UN Fund for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Programme focuses on one of the key factors leading to the social exclusion of people with disabilities (PwDs) in society - the societal and institutional medical approach to PwDs, which considers disability as an individual deficiency. The introduction of the social model of disability will be supported by addressing the data, legal and institutional framework and definition of disability and related social protection, while simultaneously increasing societal awareness and stimulating change of social norms, providing support for empowering organizations of PwDs as important change agents, and expanding employment opportunities for PwDs.

What we do

UNDP's work within the Joint Programme focuses on (1) advancing the accessibility of infrastructure, information and services for PwDs; (2) promoting social inclusion of PwDs; (3) increasing the access to social services on the local level; and (4) supporting the effective implementation and monitoring of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

The Programme is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories of Georgia, Labor, Health and Social AffairsMinistry of Economy and Sustainable DevelopmentPublic Defender’s OfficeNational Center for Disease Control and Public HealthNational Statistics Office of Georgia (GEOSTAT), Inter-Agency Commission on Gender Equality, Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, Human Rights Secretariat, Government Administration and local self-government

Expected results

  • Legislative framework and evidence-based policy environment are strengthened and non-discriminatory social norms promoted to enable all PwDs to effectively enjoy their rights.
  • The existing pilot of the disability status assessment system based on the social model of disability is expanded to at least one more region of Georgia.
  • Capacities for data collection, monitoring and advocacy improved for the implementation of the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
  • Equal employment opportunities are promoted and expanded for all PwDs regardless of age and sex.
  • Gender-sensitive disability assessment and status determination system transformed based on the social model.
  • Systems strengthened to enable quality integrated services for PwDs, including revised social system entitlements, especially for children, women and young people.

Contact information

Project address

15a Paliashvili Street
Tbilisi 0179 Tbilisi

Contact persons

Mariam Tutberidze
Project Manager
mariam.tutberidze@undp.org

Gigi Bregadze
UNDP Democratic Governance Team Leader
gigi.bregadze@undp.org