Summary

Through this Joint Programme, funded by the UN Fund for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the United Nations assisted Georgia in aligning its legislative framework, policies, and practices with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, increasing awareness, and developing institutional capacities across the public, private, and civic sectors.

The programme brought together six UN agencies, including UNDP, United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), Office of High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), and World Health Organization (WHO). 

The initiative was implemented in 2020-2022, focusing on the key factors leading to the social exclusion of persons with disabilities in Georgia – the societal and institutional medical approach, which considered disability as an individual deficiency. 

The vast array of partners and stakeholders included key Georgian institutions. The programme actively worked with the Parliament, health and law enforcement authorities, educational institutions, and civil society organisations to build an inclusive and equitable environment for all.

Results

• Four draft laws were developed or revised, ensuring greater inclusivity of Georgia’s health system and digital services.
• The Parliament of Georgia initiated amendments to 27 legislative acts to promote respect for the rights of persons with disabilities.
• The programme contributed to the development of the National Human Rights Strategy of 2022-2030 and its 2024-2026 action plan, offering specific recommendations to align these strategic documents with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
• It also supported the CRPD Interagency Coordination Committee, facilitating the engagement and membership of persons with disabilities.
• Working with law enforcement authorities, the programme has informed the development of action plans and strategic documents to uphold the rights of persons with disabilities in criminal justice.
• 15 municipalities across Georgia revised their gender equality plans through a disability lens, focusing on the rights of women and girls with disabilities.
• Meaningful participation guidelines and communication standards were developed for public institutions promoting the effective engagement of persons with disabilities at all levels of decision-making and public life.

Education and awareness were important aspects of the programme implementation throughout its cycle. Training on disability inclusion engaged over 200 stakeholders, including organisations of persons with disabilities, legal professionals, law enforcement representatives, medical personnel and professors of higher educational institutions, and UN staff members.