Support to the Rights and Entitlements of Persons with Disabilities (China)

This UN joint programme intends to develop the capacity of Disabled People’s Organizations (DPOs) and government to advance the rights of persons with disabilities.

Background

China has more than 85 million persons with disabilities. China was also among the first countries to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). It has formulated over 60 laws and regulations on the protection of rights of persons with disabilities. However, these regulations, laws and policies lack implementation mechanisms. They are also perceived by some observers as not fully addressing the needs of disabled communities.

Since the new leadership of China took office in 2013, the new Government’s commitment is likely to have a positive impact on the reduction of gaps currently affecting persons with disabilities, providing the opportunity to build momentum on a rights-based paradigm in line with the CRPD’s principles. The momentum further translates into increased space for engagement between the government and DPOs and the China Disability Person's Federation (CDPF), and through the DPOs the possibility exists to increase the dialogue on a rights-based approach rather than a service delivery model.

UN-China has been working on the implementation of the CRPD with the CDPF as well as with relevant ministries and national partners. ILO has been supporting the improvement of the legal and policy environment for the employment of persons with disabilities. UNDP works to strengthen the legal services provided to disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. UNESCO works on promoting inclusive education. UNICEF supports to build CDPFs’ capacity to advocate for policy reform in inclusive services delivery for children with disabilities. The four UN agencies also work on promoting Communication for Development, information accessibility, and ICTs for persons with disabilities. These agencies have been working successfully on the UN Task Force to support the drafting of China’s Family Violence Law which covers violence against persons with disabilities.

The UNPRPD funding will provide seed for leveraging a holistic programme to be implemented in China. It also provides an opportunity for stronger coherence among individual agency initiatives and mainstreaming the rights of persons with disabilities across the UNCT’s work.

Project objective

This project is implemented by four UN Agencies in China, including ILO, UNESCO, UNDP and UNICEF. The four Agencies work together for the objective of mainstreaming of rights and entitlements of persons with disabilities into the policies and activities of key government agencies, including their right to education, employment, as well as the principles of justice and social participation advanced.

Based on ILO’s mandate, more specific objective for ILO is to create better work and employment opportunities created for men and women with disabilities, through the creation of an enabling legal and policy environment, the promotion of skills development opportunities and measures to eliminate discrimination.

Strategy

Through joining in this Programme, this project aims to support the Chinese Government’s efforts to reduce barriers to the implementation of policies related to employment of persons with disabilities , as well as to foster an enabling and more inclusive environment for the full implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities(CRPD) , the ILO Convention concerning Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment - Disabled Persons (No. 159), as well as the ILO Convention concerning Discrimination in Employment and Occupation (No. 111).

It will be implemented with a gender–sensitive and a gender-responsive approach.

Project beneficiaries

The direct beneficiaries of this project will be CDPF, selected DPOs, relevant Ministries, legal aid services providers, journalist, and education administrators.

Key Partners

China Disability Persons’ Federation (CDPF), National/local Disabled People’s Organizations (DPOs) in the targeted pilot provinces, Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS)National Legal Aid Center in the Ministry of Justice, The State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of the People's Republic of China (SAPPRFT),
One plus One (Beijing) Disability Cultural Exchange Centre (OPO), China Foundation for Disabled Persons, Handicap International (HI),
Communication and Youth Development Research Centre of the China’s Academy of Social Sciences

For further information please contact

Mr Zhou Haibin
National Programme Coordinator
ILO Country Office for China and Mongolia
Tel:+8610 6532 5091
Email: zhouhaibin@ilo.org