MOVING FROM THE MARGINS

Mainstreaming persons with disabilities in Pakistan

1www.britishcouncil.ae Dr Maryam Rab, Director REMU

Research Overview

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Between March 2014 and June 2014, The Economist Intelligence Unit, in partnership with the British Council, interviewed over 60 individuals to understand the barriers and challenges persons with disabilities face in Pakistan.

• Moving from the margins is the final report with an overview of challenges and potential solutions to mainstreaming persons with disabilities in Pakistan.

Overlooked and left on the margins

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Indicator World Pakistan

Total population 7bn 182.5m

Size of labour force 3bn 62.4m

Approximate number of persons with disabilities

1.05bn 3.3m-27m

Estimated economic losses from excluding persons with disabilities from work

US$1.37trn and US$1.94trn US$11.9bn – US$15.4bn

Sources: The Economist Intelligence Unit; WHO; World Bank; Pakistan census 1998; EIU estimates based on World Bank calculations.

“If we really have the attitude of including everyone, whether it is people

with disabilities, different nationalities and religions, we can have laws that say everyone is equal and that will be

enough.”Michael Stein, Visiting Professor of Law, Harvard University

Main findings: Barriers

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1.Pity, sympathy and discrimination

• A culture of sympathy perpetuates the idea that persons with disabilities need to helped, instead of empowered. This affects access to education, employment and other civic and social activities.

• Marriage prospects are limited, and marriage prospects for women with disabilities much lower.

2.Legal framework is missing• Last law was enacted in 1981, and is not

comprehensive, weak and poorly enforced.

• Where to go for help? Limited to no redress mechanisms offered for persons with disabilities.

“Culturally, marriage is seen as an important life goal for women in Pakistan, and women are important in keeping the house together, handling the chores and cooking. But when women have a disability, whether it is physical, hearing, speech or intellectual, she is seen as unable to fulfil these duties and a burden.”

Abia Akram, Chair, National Forum of Women with

Disabilities

“There is a law, but unfortunately it is not in practice. If we go to any police station to complain, for example saying a person hit my car. The police official will say I should have taken care of myself, that I am a disabled person and should take safety measures."

Peshawar-based wheelchair user

Main findings: Barriers

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3. Limited educational opportunities• Special education schools leave

out at least 50% of children with disabilities.

• Of employed persons with disabilities, only 27% completed primary school (compared with 42% for persons without disabilities).

• Very few go on to universities.

4. Difficult to find jobs• There is a vicious cycle between

poverty and disability.• Quota system is almost never

implemented in Pakistan, and difficult to get registered to avail disability benefits.

“My education is not enough to get a better job. I am teaching at a primary school which is privately run. They couldn’t find anyone to work for them at such a scant salary and even that is not a regular job. I have tried running an auto rickshaw but since I couldn’t afford one, it did not work out."

Peshawar resident, paralysed from polio at the age of 5

“The quota system is not effective, not even a little bit. Most foundations working to help in employment for the disabled are all charity-based. There is no rights-based employment. The quota is deceptive.”

Irshad Shinawari, SPEED Pakistan

Main findings: Barriers

5. Economic Imperative • Since PWD’s do no have access to quality

education the opportunities to work also become limited.

• According to EIU the cost of excluding PWDs’ from employment is between 4.9% and 6.3 % of country’s GDP.

6. Women and the World of Work • Pakistan has the lowest female participation

rate in South Asia and women with disabilities face even a greater barrier.

• Concerns –• Mobility • Limited training and work

opportunities• Need to build an inclusive workforce from all

angles of diversity (Gender and Disabilities) 6www.britishcouncil.ae

Solutions:

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1. Comprehensive set of laws to protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.• This should include anti-discrimination, education,

employment, communication, infrastructure and transport, and civil rights.

2. Lead government department needed

• Disability is a cross-cutting issue, and a lead department must coordinate between health, education, labour, housing and information and communication ministries.

• Since the 18th Amendment and devolution of power to the provinces, there has been no federal-level government agency overseeing disability affairs.

Solutions:

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3. Effective use of limited resources• Rehabilitation, assistive devices and support services are

crucial to reduce the impact of impairments and enable persons with disabilities to access their rights. It is critical that such services are used effectively.

• Innovative community-based mechanisms can also reduce the burden on the government.

4. Inclusive education to reach all children and adults with disabilities

• Estimates put educating a child at a special school at PKR 30,000 (US$300), as opposed to PKR 2,000 (US$20) at a mainstream school.

• Inclusive education will make education more accessible to children with disabilities, and change starts with better teacher training and adapting school infrastructure.

Solutions:

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5. Increase employment opportunities• An enabling ecosystem includes anti-discrimination laws,

incentives for employers, vocational training and job-matching support.

• There are many examples from developing countries: In India, the government runs vocational rehabilitation centres where persons with loco motor disabilities account for 80% of individuals; in Pakistan, Leonard Cheshire Disability and Development help persons with disabilities in their job search.Leonard Cheshire Disability and Development Programme

Solutions:

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A united representative voice to advocate for change

• DPOs in Pakistan largely focused on welfare and charity, instead of rights-based change.

• There is also a need for representation of persons with disabilities in Pakistan’s legislature. This will go beyond just pushing for policies, it also changes public perception of disability.