The programme works with 13 political parties and 21 organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) and civil society organizations (CSOs). With the uptake of disability inclusion provisions segmented within different parties, the need to develop basic standards to support political parties inclusion of PWD’s in their business became necessary.
The standards highlighted in this document were developed in a participatory working session with representatives from disability rights civil society organizations (CSOs), disabled persons organizations (DPOs), and political parties. Their input was synthesized and related with other key considerations on political inclusion of PWDs, and packaged into a framework of 10 standards.
The minimum standard is not a “how to” guide but a description of what must be in place as a minimum for PWDs to engage and participate effectively in political party activities. The standards are informed by available evidence and experience of parties that have managed to include persons with disabilities.
The standards provide a good benchmark for illustration of the political party’s commitment to disability inclusion in their structures, policies, practices, and processes. It is expected that political parties in Kenya will use these standards as a framework for realization of the constitutional provisions on disability inclusion.
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WFD facilitated the review of 11 political parties’ documents – including policies and manifestos – to identify areas where the documents promote or inhibit the inclusion of PWDs.
WFD held trainings, in December 2020 over an eight-day period, focusing on supporting political parties, DPOs, and CSOs in addressing PWDs political inclusion.
In October 2020, WFD commissioned a research to better understand the challenges that persons with disabilities (PWDs) in political parties face in their daily lives.