Disability policy audit in Namibia, Swaziland, Malawi and Mozambique.

Abstract

This pilot study provides an analysis of disability policy and practice in four Southern African countries: Namibia, Swaziland, Malawi and Mozambique. It utilised a three-fold methodology: a background literature review, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Following the introduction to this report, chapters 2, 3, 4 and 5 present the substantive findings and inferences from the fieldwork conducted in Namibia, Swaziland, Malawi and Mozambique, respectively. Each chapter begins with an analysis of the historical, political, social and economic characteristics of each country, in which disability policy and practice are contextualised. In turn, each chapter proceeds to describe and analyse the current status of disability policy and practice, as well as providing some assessment as to what extent each country is in a position to implement the tenets of the UN Convention. Chapter Six attempts to provide a comparative analysis of disability policy and practice between the four countries. This is achieved by presenting the \"stepping stool to inclusion\", thereby drawing out the commonalities and differences that exist. The chapter then provides an analysis of the major factors that militate against the effective implementation of genuinely inclusive disability policy and practice. In addition, the chapter concludes by making a series of recommendations regarding undertaking similar disability policy audit studies in other countries, both in terms of addressing the substantive issues and improving the research process for such studies.

Citation

Southern African Federation of the Disabled (SAFOD), Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, 70 pp.

Disability policy audit in Namibia, Swaziland, Malawi and Mozambique.

Published 1 January 2008