In Togo, a country where poverty intertwines deeply with social stigma, the plight of persons with disabilities has gained increasing attention, particularly during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. The virus’s spread exacerbated existing inequalities, striking hardest at the most vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, who face heightened risks due to systemic exclusion from health care, education and economic opportunities. During this global health crisis, one of the most affected demographics has been youth with disabilities.

Already at a disadvantage due to often lacking access to education or vocational training, these young individuals found themselves further marginalized in the job market. In response, the United Nations Agency for International Development (USAID) has been a key player, aligning efforts with the Fédération Togolaise des Associations des Personnes Handicapées (FETAPH) to tackle these issues. This partnership focuses on increasing vocational training accessibility and adjusting curricula to be inclusive of sensory disabilities.

FETAPH’s Initiatives

FETAPH’s initiatives include conducting sensitization workshops to foster employer openness toward hiring people with disabilities and collaborating with companies to provide necessary equipment and training placements. These efforts to address disability and poverty in Togo are crucial in a societal landscape where stigma and discrimination are rampant, significantly affecting the livelihoods of disabled persons.

Moreover, the push for a national fund to support the training and professional integration of persons with disabilities is gaining momentum. This fund would not only address immediate employability gaps but also offer long-term support structures for sustainable development. Advocacy for such a fund was bolstered by the commendation from the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which noted ongoing revisions to Togolese law aimed at enhancing social protection for people with disabilities.

The committee also highlighted grave concerns, such as inhumane treatment leading to fatalities among children with disabilities and the persistent cultural practices that underpin such abuses. Questions were raised about protective measures against abandonment and harmful traditional practices like forced marriages and infanticide.

In response, Togolese officials pointed to legislative strides such as the prohibition of discrimination against persons with disabilities in the Children’s Code and severe penalties for those who abandon children due to disability. Despite these legal frameworks, implementation remains inconsistent and many individuals with disabilities continue to face significant barriers to integration and acceptance within their communities.

The role of international and local advocacy in shaping policy and public opinion regarding disability and poverty in Togo cannot be understated. The ongoing dialogue between Togolese authorities and international bodies underscores the pressing need to transform societal attitudes and institutional practices. This dialogue is crucial for ensuring that the rights of persons with disabilities are not only recognized on paper but earnestly protected and facilitated.

About Children With Disabilities in Togo

Additionally, in Togo, children living with disabilities represent one of the most vulnerable segments of the population. This vulnerability is not only marked by poverty but also compounded by significant social isolation and discrimination. Recognizing the urgent need to address these disparities, the United Nations Partnership to Promote the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD) initiated a project in 2012 specifically aimed at enhancing the lives of Togolese children with disabilities.

Firstly, it aimed at harmonizing Togo’s domestic laws with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) to ensure that legal frameworks were not only compliant but also supportive of the rights of children with disabilities. Secondly, the project focused on expanding educational opportunities for children with disabilities, particularly in the Kara and Savanes regions. By fostering an environment where children with disabilities are given the tools to thrive, such as access to tailored education and health care, the program aimed to break the cycle of exclusion and poverty.

However, while these initiatives are commendable, they are just the beginning of what needs to be a sustained, multi-faceted effort to integrate persons with disabilities into Togolese society fully. Continuous monitoring, adequate funding and persistent advocacy are essential to ensure that the legal and institutional frameworks not only exist but are actively enforced. They have to effectively contribute to the everyday lives of those whom they aim to protect, who suffer from the compounded effects of disability and poverty in Togo.

Conclusion

While the effort to combat disability and poverty in Togo has been commendable, especially regarding efforts to align its policies with international conventions on disability rights, significant challenges remain. The dual crises of COVID-19 and systemic exclusion have highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive strategies that address both immediate vulnerabilities and long-term social integration. Moving forward, the success of these endeavors will hinge on the sustained collaboration between the government, civil society and international partners to create an inclusive society where persons with disabilities can live with dignity and equal opportunities.

– Avery Fuller

Avery is based in Princeton, NJ, US and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr