In 2000, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were born from the Millennium Declaration, which was an unprecedented global consensus to improve the condition of humanity throughout the world.
Today the MDGs are seen as the centrepiece of the development agenda.
Notwithstanding the breadth and the scope of the MDGs, persons with disabilities continue to experience inequalities that are closely intertwined to all the development challenges linked to the MDGs. Disability remains as both a cause and consequence of poverty. Reaching the Millennium Development Goals is unlikely to be achieved unless the rights and needs of persons with disabilities are considered in the process of development.
Eradicate Hunger and Poverty
Disability and poverty are intertwined. In fact, the qualitative evident suggests that disabled people are significantly poor in developing countries, and more so than non-disabled counterpart. Many persons with disabilities are denied education or jobs, the disorder may require chronic health care and these in turn drain the scarce household resources. Persons with disabilities make up as much as 1/5 of the world’s poor. Malnutrition can result in a number of disabilities, such as stunting, blindness and diabetes.
Achieve Primary Universal Education
About 40 million of the 115 million children not attending primary school in developing countries have disabilities. Very often, children with disabilities are not recognised, get frustrated with school and drop out. In the US, it has been found that the majority of children who repeat classes or drop out of school have emotional or intellectual disabilities. This in turn makes it impossible to achieve the goal of Universal Primary Education unless the health aspects are taken into account.
Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women
Disabled women are more likely to be victims of sexual abuse. Violence against women causes psychological disabilities, and some disabilities, such as obstetric fistula, are particularly stigmatising. Women and girls are also responsible for providing care to family members with disabilities.
A dearth of community access and services for persons with disabilities may prevent women and girls from taking advantage of school and work opportunities.
Reduce Child Mortality
Children with disabilities at higher risk of dying because of medical conditions, but also because of lack of access to public services, and intense stigma – even within their own homes. Early detection, treatment and education may increase survival rates and minimise the consequences of disability later in life.
Improve Maternal Health
Disabled women have less access to public health information and they are often at higher risk of violence and sexual assault, placing them at greater risk of unwanted pregnancies and HIV/AIDS. Women with disabilities may have a greater risk of forced sterilisation. Pregnancy, especially in girls and young women may result in disabling conditions.
Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
AIDS and other contagious diseases can, in and of themselves, be disabling. However, most significantly, efforts to halt these epidemics frequently do not encompass disabled people, putting them at higher risk of contracting these diseases.
Ensure Environmental Sustainability
Environmental dangers can lead to the onset of many types of disabilities. For instance, some pollutants can lead to a number of disabilities. Road design can have a tremendous impact on the safety of pedestrians, potentially preventing road crashes that can lead to disabilities and protecting persons with disabilities from being involved in accidents. Inaccessible environments prevent persons with disabilities from taking part in economic and social activities.
The cost to retrofit environments is higher and the outcome less satisfactory than when environments are designed, constructed and maintained for all users. Consideration of environmental factors and disability are particularly important when addressing urban design and in rapidly aging societies.
Develop a Global Partnership for Development
A partnership implies inclusion, which means everyone.
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