UN Entities for Implementing Disability-inclusive SDGs for all PWDs

Two days training enabled the representatives of 15 OPDs and parents of children with disabilities to learn more and strengthen their capacity to be more vigorously involved in the implementation and monitoring processes of the national action plan of SDGs.

“SDGs create substantial space for the inclusion of PWDs in the development initiatives. When talking about turning national commitments into meaningful actions, PWDs must be included in the design and delivery of initiatives to implement the SDGs. We are glad to contribute and guide OPDs for their meaningful participation in achieving national goals for 2030.” - said Rusudan Kokhodze, PWDs Expert at UNDP in her welcome remarks.

Sophio Benashvili, UN OHCHR Projects Manager stressed upon the essential role that promotion and protection of human rights play in achieving sustainable development that leaves no one behind. “This is reflected in the transformative ambition of the 2030 global agenda and Georgia’s plan of SDGs that seeks to realize the human rights of all and is firmly anchored in human rights principles and standards, including the UDHR and the international human rights treaties.”

“Despite considerable efforts across international development actors, PWDs still remain excluded from many processes and actions. There is not much time left before the SDGs deadline of 2030; therefore, it is crucial we mobilize around the national consensus that the government has developed. We are here to facilitate efforts and achieve all goals together. “ – said Nutsi Odisharia, Project Officer at UNFPA.

The training program led by national expert Ekaterine Skhiladze, Deputy Public Defender of Georgia, was exciting and challenging on both intellectual and practical level. The program combined knowledge sharing on global agenda and national plan of 2030, SDGs thematic working groups, structure, work and reporting as well as practical exercises where participants were challenged to use their abilities and knowledge for effective participation in the SDGs implementation on national level. Using practical examples and case studies, the participants were able to identify and discuss the barriers and potential enablers to support inclusion and meaningful participation of women and girls with disabilities as well as how to break the cycle of marginalization.

One of the training participants and the representative of the Georgian Network of Psychiatry Service Users and Survivors, Olga Kalina said that learning about the SDGs connections with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was utmost importance for her. “I intend to join SDGs’ thematic groups and work in this format on issues related to us. It is important to study the existing indicators and and how to deliver on those, considering the needs of people with psychosocial and intellectual disabilities and women with disabilities. Furthermore, I am sure the knowledge gained from this action will significantly strengthen our ability for advocacy efforts. “  

Tinatin Revazishvili, International Relations Coordinator of the Georgian Paralympic Committee, said: “an interesting issue for me is increasing involvement and participation of women in public, economic, political and sports life. We want to strengthen our efforts in relation to SDG Goals 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing) and 5 (Gender Equality), within the framework of which we want to increase the participation of girls and women with disabilities in sports activities. Sport is the best field and way to realize the possibilities of persons with disabilities and integrate them into society.”

The training of OPDs representatives was part of the United Nations Partnership for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD) supported initiative in Georgia - a unique actions that brings together three UN entities (UNDP, UN OHCHR and UNFPA), government, OPDs and broader civil society to advance the rights of PWDs.