Tag Archive for: Disability and Poverty

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Disability and the Struggle Against Poverty in Gabon

Poverty in gabonPeople with disabilities in Gabion face widespread poverty and barriers to employment, education and health care, despite legal protections. Although the country has abundant natural resources and a relatively high gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, unequal income distribution leaves vulnerable groups — including people with disabilities — at greater risk of poverty. 

Expansion of Social Programs

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is working with Gabon’s Ministry of Social Protection and the National Fund for Social Action to strengthen social safety nets and expand protection programs for the country’s most marginalized communities and to help reduce disability and poverty in the country.

UNICEF Representative Stephen Grieb said the goal of the income-generating program, which residents such as Thecle are receiving, is to help households in the present areas gain access to education, health coverage and social protection for their children. 

One of the pilot communities in Zoula, where the initiative aims to encourage revenue-generating activities. By boosting income, organizers say the program will help disadvantaged households assert their rights and receive essential social services. Thecle and other participants hope the effort will allow them and their children to break free from poverty. 

Improving Youth Skills

The World Bank Board of Executive Directors on Tuesday approved a $100 million loan to help Gabon improve skills training and create jobs for young people. The Development and Employability Project aims to reduce disability, poverty and unemployment while supporting faster growth in the Central African Nation. 

The project will expand vocational training in key growth sectors, promote skills development for unemployed graduates and school-leavers, and provide entrepreneurship training. It seeks to address the mismatch between the skills of young people and the needs of the labor market. 

Gabon’s National Development Plan

Gabon had launched the Emergency Community Development Program (PUDC) with national funding to be carried out across the country’s nine provinces in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The initiative is part of the President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema’s national development plan: The Rise Toward Prosperity. Overseen by the Ministry of Planning and Forecasting, the program aims to reduce socioeconomic and regional inequities by strengthening local governance, expanding economic opportunities, improving infrastructure and increasing access to essential services. 

The Future of Poverty in Gabon

Gabon is launching multiple initiatives to tackle poverty and inequality, particularly for people with disabilities and disadvantaged communities. Efforts include income-generating programs supported by UNICEF and a $100 million World Bank-backed project to expand vocational training and job creation. These programs aim to improve social protection, education, health care access and local economic opportunities, helping vulnerable households break the cycle of poverty.

– Joshua Pettis

Joshua is based in Houston, TX, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Breaking the Cycle of Disability and Poverty in Lesotho

Disability and Poverty in LesothoPeople living in poverty and with disabilities in Lesotho face overlapping barriers, such as limited education, health care and labor-market access, that increase poverty risks. Policies like the Disability Equity Act (2021), Inclusive Education Policy (2018) and pilot Disability Grant create a rights-based foundation, but weak implementation, underfunding and stigma limit impact. Stronger social protection, inclusive education and scaled-up grants are key to breaking the cycle of disability and poverty in Lesotho.

Disability, Poverty and Social Protection in Lesotho

A report evaluating the effectiveness of Lesotho’s social protection policies and initiatives was published by the World Bank in partnership with the government of Lesotho. The research emphasizes the necessity for robust, efficient social protection measures to assist disadvantaged individuals in meeting their fundamental requirements. This need is especially urgent given Lesotho’s lackluster economic growth and constrained fiscal resources, which are further stretched by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lesotho’s achievement in developing safety net systems is acknowledged in the Social Protection Program and Systems Review. The review also offers several policy recommendations to boost cost savings and improve program efficacy and coverage. According to the Ministry of Social Development, Lesotho implements several key social protection initiatives to support the underprivileged.

One such initiative is the Child Grant Program, an unconditional cash transfer designed to improve the standard of living for low-income families with children younger than 18. The program aims to boost school enrollment, strengthen health outcomes and reduce malnutrition.

Lesotho’s Disability Act: Progress Made, Challenges Remain

Lesotho, a nation that has historically lagged in promoting rights and support for people with disabilities and poverty, saw a turning point with the passage of the Persons with Disability Act in 2021. The Act creates a legal framework to protect the autonomy, dignity and inclusion of people with disabilities in all areas of life.

However, even while the law has undoubtedly paved the way for PWDs to participate more fully in the business and economic sectors, structural issues and implementation still prevent the full potential of its revolutionary power from being realized. To ensure meaningful inclusion, systematic reforms must be implemented to align with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which Lesotho has ratified.

Lesotho Advances Disability Rights With Landmark Equity Bill

The Disability Equity Bill represents a major step forward for Lesotho’s social inclusion goals, crippling disability and poverty, according to the World Bank. The organization outlined its “10 Promises” in the summer of 2018 to accelerate global action for development that includes people with disabilities. The Disability Equity Bill builds on Lesotho’s previous efforts.

The country ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2008, becoming the 42nd nation. In 2017, the Constitutional Court struck down a provision in the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act of 1981 that barred people with intellectual disabilities from testifying in court. The new bill requires the convention to be demonstrated and ensures that the rights it guarantees are implemented.

Takeaway

Lesotho has made progress in social protection and disability through programs like the Child Grant and laws such as the Persons with Disability Act and the Disability Equity Bill. Despite those advances, structural challenges and weak implementations limit their full effectiveness. Strengthening systems and enforcing disability rights are essential to reduce poverty and promote meaningful inclusion.

– Joshua Pettis

Joshua is based in Houston, TX, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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New Integrated Plan To Address Disability and Poverty in Czechia

Disability and Poverty in CzechiaThe Czech Republic is a country located in Central Europe, with a population reaching almost 11 million people. Approximately 1.3 million of the citizens live with a disability. Income poverty and exclusion affect this group the most. Here is more information about disability and poverty in Czechia.

Current Challenges

According to the data that the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions provided, the poverty risk rate for working-age persons with disabilities in Czechia was 13.2% in 2023, double compared to other persons of similar age. 

Younger people with disabilities face particular disadvantages as well. Those in the 18-24 age group are far more likely to leave school early compared to their peers and are less likely to graduate from tertiary education. A significant group of children with disabilities receive education in separate schools rather than the public system, which deepens the social exclusion. The link between disability and poverty in Czechia starts at the very beginning of the societal and professional path.

The most common type of disability in Czechia is mobility impairment. People with disabilities point to transport and navigation of public spaces as their greatest challenges.

There are multiple elements within the national social security system to support individuals with disabilities such as financial benefits, tax relief, insurance and assistance. However, there is little focus on vocational rehabilitation, which experts point as perhaps the most productive solution to poverty and disability connection. Job market opportunities for people with disabilities are limited with low motivation for accommodations.

Past Achievements

Since joining international efforts for inclusion, such as ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2009, Czechia made considerable progress in terms of legislation related to the protection of this citizen group.

The employment rate of persons with disabilities is marginally above the EU average. The government has incorporated multiple incentives in labor law to help achieve it, for example supplier diversity programs, parities requirements and targeted efforts from The Regional Employment Agencies to assist people with disabilities in finding suitable workplaces.

Many municipalities participated in the National Development Program for Mobility for All, which has been implemented since 2005, removing barriers and improving mobility in urbanized areas.

Plan for the Future

To better accommodate citizens with disabilities, the Czech government has approved a National Plan for Persons with Disabilities for 2026-2030. What is especially interesting in this new Plan is the integrated, holistic approach to proposed solutions. The Plan will focus on improving accessibility in public buildings and transport infrastructure, with both elements intentionally linked. 

The basic objective of the National Accessibility for All Programme is to build comprehensive barrier-free pedestrian routes with direct links to the buildings of public institutions. Simply put, the plan is to not only help people get to the location or to navigate within the building, but to enable both, creating an accessible experience.

To support the efforts described in the Plan, on January 1, 2025, the amendment to the Czech Employment Act came into force, especially the obligation to employ a mandatory proportion of disabled employees. This change aims to encourage employers to hire disabled employees and prevent attempts to circumvent existing mechanisms.

Looking Ahead

The government describes the importance of the Plan as fundamental for the effective functioning and sustainable development of cities and municipalities, with regard to the demographic development of society and decreasing disability and poverty in Czechia.

– Patrycja Pietrzak

Patrycja is based in Cyprus and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Disability and Poverty in The Gambia: Pathways To Change

Disability and Poverty in The GambiaIn The Gambia, disability and poverty are tightly linked. People with disabilities face barriers to education, health care and jobs that deepen their vulnerability. Stigma and weak government support compound the problem. However, new laws, training programs and social protection efforts by local groups, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and the state are pushing toward greater inclusion.

Cycle of Poverty and Exclusion

Before 2020, The Gambia’s poverty rate had been gradually declining, from 48.6% in 2015 to 45.8% in 2019, with the help of small increases in tourism and construction. Analysts predict the nation’s poverty rate would have decreased by more than 3% by 2020 if not for the COVID-19 pandemic. However, those advances were undone by the pandemic, which caused the poverty rate to rise by 4.8%.

According to a household study conducted in 2020-21, 53.4% of Gambians or around 1.1 million individuals, could not afford the necessities of life. Even though access to health care and education has improved since 2015, more than half of the population still lives in poverty due to the economic shock.

Barriers in Education and Work

One major issue in The Gambia is the shortage of skilled teachers in the educational system. According to a 2021 World Bank assessment, only 57% of primary school teachers are trained, meaning many lack the skills to deliver effective education. Larger class sizes and higher student–teacher ratios, resulting from this shortage, have made it even more difficult to provide individualized attention and support.

This hits learners with disabilities hardest: lacking skilled instruction and support, they struggle to complete schooling, leaving them with lower employment rates. The 2022-23 Gambia Labor Force Survey reports that only 32.8% of persons with disabilities participate in the labor force compared to 44.1% of those without. Employment prospects skew lower for them, too. Without skilled teaching to build real learning and life skills, people living with disabilities struggle to access jobs and escape the poverty trap.

Health Care Challenges

It is estimated that 120,000 Gambians have mental illness, but 90% of them do not receive treatment. The nation only runs one outpatient clinic and one psychiatric hospital, Tanka Tanka, all located close to the capital. Outside these hospitals, a mobile community team that makes scheduled visits to rural health centers provides most of the mental health support.

Although The Gambia has a national policy and strategy aimed at exploring mental health services, most rural and urban people still lack access to care, despite the recent addition of similar teams by specific urban clinics.

Local and Global Partners Step In

The Gambian National Assembly approved the Persons with Disability Bill in July 2021 and President Adam Barrow signed it into law the following month. The measure, the result of nearly a decade of advocacy, safeguards the rights of people with disabilities in health care, education, employment, social support, rehabilitation and accessibility.

The law also brings The Gambia into compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which the country ratified in 2015. The convention requires states to provide equal legal protection, ensure full enjoyment of fundamental freedoms and eliminate discriminatory laws and practices.

On October 25–26, 2023, the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center hosted a two-day forum on disability rights, organized by The Gambia Federation of the Disabled and the National Human Rights Commission. In reviewing the implementation of the Persons with Disabilities Act of 2021, officials and activists highlighted both progress made and challenges that persist.

The organizers urged government organizations to incorporate disability problems in The Gambia into all programs and services, stating that those with disabilities still experience poverty, discrimination and abuse.

Takeaway

Despite setbacks from the pandemic and persistent barriers in education and health care, The Gambia has taken steps toward change. The 2021 Persons with Disabilities Act guarantees equal health, education and employment rights. Advocates say progress is slow. However, recent forums highlight growing moments to address discrimination and expand opportunities, offering hope for a more inclusive future.

– Joshua Pettis

Joshua is based in Houston, TX, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Disability and Poverty in Samoa: Faaolo Utumapu-Utailesolo

Disability and Poverty in SamoaGrowing up blind in Samoa, Faaolo Utumapu-Utailesolo felt first-hand not only how hard life is living in poverty, but how much harder it is for disabled persons living in poverty. With no access to Braille, teachers trained to support her in school, or necessary medical care and support, she struggled a lot until her family was able to find the money to support her financially. Now, with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree, she lives as a university lecturer, working with her disability rights movement to help other people with disabilities gain a fulfilling education, in order to live a fulfilling life. Here is information about disability and poverty in Samoa and what Utumapu-Utailesolo has done to address it.

The Link Between Disability and Poverty in Samoa

People with disabilities make up a major part of Samoa’s poorest, meaning they are often unable to access necessities like health care, education and jobs. In 2018, the Samoa Disability Monograph estimated that 2% of the population who lived in poverty were living with disabilities. This was expected to have grown to 3% in 2021, meaning that 3% of the population desperately require medical assistance and education, and just are not receiving it.

What Did Utumapu-Utailesolo Do?

In 2001, Utumapu-Utailesolo founded Samoa’s Nuanua O Le Alofa (NOLA), a disability rights movement described as “an organisation set up by people with disabilities to advocate for their rights and equal opportunities as well” on the NOLA Facebook page. The umbrella organization includes Samoa’s Blind Persons Association, the Deaf Association of Samoa, as well as the Persons with Physical Disabilities Association of Samoa and, since its creation, has garnered more than 1,500 members.

NOLA works heavily with the Australian government, pushing it to acknowledge the severe obstacles that poverty poses to people living in poverty with disabilities in Samoa, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of its aims are:

  1. Ensure discussions surrounding disabilities are pre-planned and accessible to those affected by the outcome;
  2. Create more inclusive and accessible jobs and activities;
  3. Adequate training and resources for the organization of persons with diverse disabilities;
  4. Ensure accommodations provisions and budgets are available in all government-funded programs; and
  5. Use the experiences of persons with disabilities in disability human rights initiatives.

Her work, along with others, has allowed people living with disabilities in poverty in Samoa to live a fulfilling life. Thanks to NOLA, the island of Manono is making strong progress in ending violence toward women and girls and improving accessibility, such as in its inclusive education policy teaching braille and sign language. Its close-knit community is working hard to make Samoa a safe place for all, especially those in poverty living with a disability.

Looking Ahead

Faaolo Utumapu-Utailesolo has faced many hardships growing up being blind and in poverty, but has not let her disability stop her. She is successfully working toward helping other disabled people in her position to lead a fulfilling life.

– Daisy McDonald

Daisy is based in Nottingham, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Alex Perez on Unsplash

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Disability and Poverty in North Macedonia: “Getting a Life” Project 

Disability and Poverty in North MacedoniaPeople with disabilities in North Macedonia face a significantly higher risk of poverty compared to the general population. In 2020, nearly 30% of working‑age people with disabilities lived in households with very low work intensity, more than double the rate for those without disabilities. Among all children, 32.7% lived below the national poverty line, reflecting inequalities that likely worsen for children with disabilities. Households that include disabilities often incur extra costs for medical care, assistive devices and travel, further increasing financial strain. These systemic barriers keep many with disabilities trapped in poverty. Here is more information about the correlation between disability and poverty in North Macedonia.

Breaking the Cycle of Institutionalization

For decades, individuals with intellectual disabilities lived in large-scale institutions in North Macedonia, isolated from their communities. In 2020, People in Need (PIN) launched “Getting a Life”, an EU‑funded project to shift residents into small, community‑based homes. PIN transformed institutions into nine independent living houses across Demir Kapija, Negotino and Skopje and relocated 45 residents from the Demir Kapija Special Institution to set up a better system to end disability and poverty in North Macedonia. Each house supports under five individuals and includes accessible living spaces designed to encourage autonomy.

Training for Quality Care

PIN trained more than 120 professionals, including social workers, physiotherapists and educators,  in person‑centered care. Eighty of them now prepare individualized care plans focusing on skills such as employment, daily living and social integration People in Need. PIN also launched a daily activity center in Skopje offering cooking, art and computer workshops, helping individuals develop confidence, skills and friendships.

Raising Awareness Across Communities

Community acceptance plays a crucial role in inclusion. PIN organized 18 awareness‑raising events, such as open houses and film screenings, that involved local officials, self‑advocates and neighbors. They helped form self‑advocacy groups and hosted the first national conference in 2023. All of this effort, drew multiple participants to feature policy recommendations. to government officials. PIN has managed to create an inclusive space to normalize disabilities in North Macedonia and to normalize their presence in communities that are often marginalized by poverty.

Measuring the Impact

In just three years, “Getting a Life” improved lives for 45 residents, built capacity for 120 professional caregivers and established community facilities. A final project evaluation found that 66% of trained caregivers found the training relevant, and 86.7% agreed that the principles of inclusion informed their approach. Residents now leave home slightly more regularly, 77.8%  reported occasional outings, whereas institutional conditions previously limited these opportunities. These findings provide further evidence that projects like “Getting a Life” can help identify ways to address disability and poverty in North Macedonia.

The Road Ahead

Despite these milestones, more than 60 individuals still live in the Demir Kapija institution awaiting relocation. Expanding community-based living will require steady funding, strong political leadership and innovative partnerships between government agencies, NGOs and international donors. People in Need aims to use the lessons from “Getting a Life” to guide further deinstitutionalization efforts across the Western Balkans, adapting the approach to meet different local needs. Scaling this model would not only open the door to independence for those still in institutions but also create more inclusive neighborhoods, generate care-sector jobs and reduce the long-term costs of institutional care. Investing in disability inclusion safeguards human rights, lowers poverty rates and strengthens the social fabric for everyone.

– Nilay Ersoy

Nilay is based in Cambridge, MA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Addressing Disability and Poverty in Mauritius

Disability and Poverty in MauritiusMauritius, often commended as one of Africa’s economic success stories, hides a sobering truth behind its polished surface: disability and poverty intertwine, leaving people with disabilities especially vulnerable to systemic marginalization. According to the 2011 Housing and Population Census, 59,869 people in Mauritius live with a disability, which is roughly 5.4% of the population.

The Struggles of Living With a Disability in Mauritius

The stigma associated with disability marginalizes this group and the inaccessibility of the physical and social environment further isolates them from full participation in society. A World Bank study revealed that in Mauritius, people with disabilities are more likely to have lower educational attainment and employment levels than their non-disabled peers, reinforcing the link between disability and poverty. The World Bank also highlights the lack of accessible environments and limited access to assistive technologies, which compound existing barriers.

In 2015, the U.N. Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities warned that entrenched gender and disability stereotypes continued to exacerbate marginalization in Mauritius. These factors, combined with the lack of legal enforcement, limited public awareness and exclusion from decision-making, create a web of disadvantage. People with disabilities in Mauritius are often denied basic human rights, including access to education, employment, housing and health care.

In its 2024 review, the U.N. Committee noted, “The Committee was concerned that persons with disabilities were not meaningfully involved in the processes aimed at improving their lives.” It also “noted the need to harmonize the different definitions of disability in various documents.” Inconsistent definitions across official documents and the lack of representation hinder policy implementation. When people with disabilities are not included in planning and reform, their needs are often overlooked.

Still, change is underway. Civil society organizations and disability rights activists continue to push for accountability. At the same time, government documents acknowledge that earlier approaches were inadequate and commit to restructuring the disability sector.

The Government’s Efforts

Mauritius has launched several policies and programs to reduce the burden of poverty for people with disabilities. These include:

  • Basic Invalid’s Pension (BIP): A monetary allowance for individuals with severe disabilities. According to recent reports, more than 20,000 Mauritians received the BIP in 2016.
  • Carer’s Allowance: Financial support for family members or caregivers of people with disabilities.
  • Child Disability Allowance: Additional financial assistance provided to support children with disabilities.
  • Ratification of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Demonstrating commitment to global disability rights standards.
  • National Policy Paper and Action Plan on Disability: A framework focused on rights-based inclusion and improving access across sectors.
  • Accessibility in Education: As of March 2024, 46 students with disabilities are enrolled in universities. Most secondary and tertiary institutions now meet accessibility standards.
  • New Disability Action Plan (2024): Currently in development, this plan promises meaningful consultation with persons with disabilities in both design and execution stages.

Local Advocacy Groups

  • Inclusion Mauritius: A federation of 13 NGOs supporting individuals with intellectual and/or physical disabilities. The organization provides education, life skills training and pre-employment preparation to individuals annually, working to enhance independence and dignity.
  • Youth With Disabilities Empowerment Program (YWDEP): This initiative runs training sessions, workshops and cultural events for young people with disabilities.

Conclusion

Even though challenges remain, these initiatives show Mauritius’ commitment to strengthening disability-inclusive policies. They aim to address the systemic links between disability and poverty. The ultimate goal is to “build a society where every citizen enjoys his or her rights fully while respecting those of others.”

– Riddhi Sharma

Riddhi is based in Vancouver, BC, Canada and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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The Hidden Landscape of Disability and Poverty in Oman

Disability and Poverty in OmanOman is a country of about 4 million people at the southeastern end of the Arabian Peninsula. Its rich oil reserves have made it one of the richest countries in the Middle East. Yet, its relatively high GDP per capita—estimated at $39,800—belies the many socio-economic issues affecting large sectors of the Omani population. Two such issues are poverty and disability-induced hardship. Below are the main things to know about disability and poverty in Oman.

Oman’s Nexus of Poverty and Disability

Oman still has some (relative) poverty. Despite no one in Oman living below the international poverty line of $1.25/day anymore, a regionally tailored metric shows that 10.1% of Omani nationals can still be considered “poor” in some capacity. This is one of the highest relative poverty rates in the Persian Gulf region. Poverty is even more severe among foreign workers in Oman, who number 1.8 million of the country’s residents but have experienced exclusion from most poverty-related programs and statistics.

Some of Oman’s poorest citizens have disabilities as well. There are 44,513 total Omani citizens living with disabilities. This translates to nearly 1% of the total population. The most common types of disabilities in Oman are hearing disabilities (34%) and physical disabilities (23.7%). Such disabilities reduce the likelihood of having a stable income. In 2003, only 15.7% of disabled Omanis were economically active, and 65% were unable to work at all. Thus, disability has a high correlation with poverty in Oman.

Implications of Disability and Poverty for Oman

Poverty is more acute in rural areas in Oman. A dearth of state services in agricultural and remote communities likely renders poorer and disabled Omanis in those communities vulnerable to educational neglect and health issues.

Another vulnerable group that disability and poverty disproportionately impact in Oman is children. Nearly one in 10 Omani children is stunted – a phenomenon often associated with poverty. Moreover, 16,000 Omani children are disabled.

Interventions

Despite the hardships that disability and poverty in Oman has triggered, the country has made significant strides in alleviating conditions for poor and disabled Omanis. Through its massive oil wealth, Oman has greatly solidified its current social safety net, known as the “Social Protection Fund.” The fund allows impoverished Omanis to receive unemployment benefits, monthly allowances and job recruitment opportunities when necessary. The Social Protection Fund partly explains how Oman was able to eliminate its absolute poverty rate (the proportion of people living below $1.25/day) in 2025.

For disabled citizens, the Social Protection Fund offers a tailored “disability benefit,” providing 130 rials ($338 USD) each month. This money allows Omanis with special needs to secure necessities like food, water and shelter, while reducing the likelihood of them falling into poverty.

Looking Forward

Overall, despite Oman’s international reputation for affluence, some of the country’s citizens still suffer from the interconnected issues of poverty and disability-induced hardship. These issues debilitate the lives of those who are already the most vulnerable in Omani society—foreign workers, rural residents and children. Yet, the Omani government has implemented a Social Protection Fund that has partially succeeded in alleviating the hardship induced by poverty and disability in Oman. 

– Pranav Kanmadikar

Pranav is based in Louisville, KY, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Shedding Light on Disability in Tanzania

Disability in TanzaniaAccording to the World Bank, “In 2022, 2.6% of the population in Tanzania are persons with disabilities.” Additionally, about 8.4% of the population suffers from six forms of disadvantages: seeing, hearing, communication, cognition, walking and self-care.

Access to assistive technology (AT), a wide-ranging term for products or services beneficial to people with disabilities, has long been a challenge in Tanzania. However, efforts to improve availability are gradually increasing.

Disability in Tanzania

Approximately 1.6 million Tanzanians live with some form of disability. In Tanzania, people with disabilities are disproportionately affected by poverty. Expanding access to AT promotes inclusion and awareness while creating resources that help reduce poverty.

Key initiatives in Tanzania include the Persons with Disabilities Management Information System, the National Business and Disability Network and the National Action Plan for Persons with Albinism.

The Persons With Disabilities Management Information System

The Persons with Disabilities Management Information System (PD-MIS) was launched on December 2, 2023, with the help of the Prime Minister of Tanzania, Honourable Kassim Majaliwa. Originally, a rural special education teacher, Isaya Mlinyi, brought attention to a reliable database that would bring awareness to children with albinism and visual impairment.

With the support of the Prime Minister’s Office and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the PD-MIS was launched and now serves as an up-to-date information system for persons with disability (PWD). Before this successful resource, Tanzanians with disabilities were recorded through manual registrations within villages and a census record every 10 years.

This newly invented assistive technology serves as a tool that captures PWDs’ up-to-date personalized information in Tanzania Mainland. An example of this newly successful AT is providing records of households with PWD and granting families social protection, such as additional income, to compensate for the lack of accessibility in the labor field.

The National Business and Disability Network

Despite successful progress throughout the years, PWDs in Tanzania still face hindrances and discrimination when looking for work. In response, the National Business and Disability Network (NBDN) was successfully launched in March 2025, promoting visibility and equal job opportunities for PWD within the workplace. This International Labor

Organization(ILO)-supported program ensures that companies provide inclusion as part of their corporate policy, which lowers barriers against people with disabilities. In addition to the ILO, the NBDN is supported by the Association of Tanzania Employers (ATE) and Sightsavers, a charity founded to support developing countries with PWD.

National Action Plan for Persons With Albinism

This action plan unveils the violence and discrimination that Tanzanians with albinism face, ensuring the safety and inclusion of this group of people. This social inclusion plan for Tanzania was officially signed on December 3, 2024, which is also the nation’s International Day of PWDs. The National Action Plan ensures that the Tanzanian government provides lawful security and population data for people with albinism.

People with albinism not only face workplace discrimination, but also suffer from being excluded from family and community. The National Action Plan for Persons with Albinism not only sheds light on this marginalized group of people, but it also creates opportunities and provides inclusivity for all people with a form of disability.

Conclusion

People in Tanzania living with a disability are more likely to face discrimination in the workforce, inadequate education and higher poverty rates. The accessibility to AT can provide the Tanzania Mainland with up-to-date records of PWD, create inclusion within labor departments and ensure community safety nationwide. These key factors play a major role in shaping poverty and survival for this large yet often overlooked group in Tanzania’s population.

Since the passage of the Disabilities Act in 2010, the government has continued working to create opportunities for people with disabilities, supported by campaigns promoting the principle that no one should be left behind. Recent social safety nets launched on the mainland encourage leaders to uphold inclusive policies and expand resources that strengthen protections for PWDs.

– Nichole Morgan

Nichole is based in Shreveport, LA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Disability and Poverty in Sierra Leone

Disability and Poverty in Sierra LeonePeople with disabilities are frequently at higher risk of poverty. This is especially true in the developing world, as these countries have less infrastructure to meet people’s needs. One example of this is the relationship between disability and poverty in Sierra Leone. Between poor economic status and lasting issues from war, Sierra Leone has a substantial disabled population. However, efforts are underway to improve their lives both from within the government and from the public.

Disability Rights and Poverty

People with disabilities are often more susceptible to poverty. In developing countries, which often do not have robust disability support programs, disabled people especially struggle. People in impoverished areas are also more likely to have disabilities thanks to poor quality of life and increased violence.

One of the biggest issues is employment discrimination, where employers are less likely to hire disabled people because they believe they would not be able to fulfill the job requirements. Employers are even more hesitant to hire those that may need additional help, considering the limited job availability in developing nations.

Another major issue is lack of accessibility infrastructure. Government resources are spread thin in developing nations, and investing in accessibility often takes a backseat to more baseline government functions. These conditions make it so that countries that have a higher likelihood for their citizens to incur disabilities are also the most ill equipped to help their disabled citizens.

The Situation in Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone, like many developing nations, has to deal with the issues of disability and poverty. As a country still recovering from the effects of a devastating civil war, it has a lot of experience with both of these issues. According to the Repository on Disability Rights in Africa in 2015, about 2.4% of Sierra Leone’s population has a disability. The aforementioned civil war is a contributor to the country’s disabled population, where many citizens are still dealing with debilitating war wounds. Lack of health care infrastructure also leads to disabilities caused by infectious diseases such as polio.

The connection between disability and poverty in Sierra Leone has led to a large disability rights movement within the country. However, a lack of central organization is a big issue facing this movement. An analysis by Amelie van den Brink, Willem Elbers and Aisha Fofana Ibrahim from 2019 describes the nature of the movement as “fragmented,” citing lack of resources and diverging interests based on different types of impairments. Despite having unity under the Sierra Leone Union on Disability Issues (SLUDI), many member organizations actively compete for financial resources and government attention.

Solutions

Despite their limited economic power, Sierra Leone has made commitments to improving the lives of their disabled population. In 2011, its federal government passed The Persons with Disabilities Act. This act created the National Commission for Persons with Disability, a government committee dedicated to protecting people with disabilities and providing services like preventing discrimination, maintaining a database of people with disabilities and spreading awareness of the issues that disabled people in Sierra Leone face. It also officially codified a list of rights that persons with disability were guaranteed, including issues of employment and medical care.

The United Nations has also taken action to help the government develop a strategy for improving the quality of life for the disabled. In 2011, the United Nations Integrated Peace Building Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) released a charter concerning the rights of disabled people, based on previous legislation passed by the Sierra Leone government. Other NGOs have contributed financially to Sierra Leone’s disability and poverty relief efforts. Having outside support for these disability rights efforts is essential to countries like Sierra Leone in order to ensure that their government is equipped to handle these newer initiatives.

As stated earlier, Sierra Leone also has a robust disability rights movement. Despite the issues with the movement as observed by van den Brink et al, it has been essential in pushing for legislation and providing non-governmental resources to those in need. The SLUDI was one of the biggest advocates for the Persons with Disabilities Act, and is a great example of the power of advocacy in legislative politics.

Looking Ahead

Disability and poverty in Sierra Leone remains a major issue as the country struggles to meet the needs of its disabled population. However, thanks to a combination of legislation and popular support, the country has the tools it needs to improve on this issue well into the future. Sierra Leone is growing in many respects, and many of the measures that the government took are essential to ensuring that the disabled are not left behind.

– Thaddeus Konieczny

Thaddeus is based in Williamston, MI, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

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