TY - JOUR
T1 - Recognizing the rights of children with disabilities in Malawi
AU - Njelesani, Janet
AU - Cameron, Cathy
AU - Njelesani, Donald
AU - Jamali, Monica
AU - Andrion, Jeffrey J.D.
AU - Munthali, Alister
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - Little is known about the realization of the rights of children with disabilities in Malawi, including which rights are being met or violated, where protection of rights must be reinforced, and ways that society can support the rights. This study explored the realization of the rights of children with disabilities in Malawi. Data generation included interviews with 30 children with disabilities (15 boys, 15 girls). Data were analyzed using content analysis and Taguette software, with codes generated relating to the UN CRPD articles. Findings indicate that children expressed discrimination and inequities toward the realization of multiple rights. In particular, there remain significant gaps in policy and programs addressing freedom from violence and abuse in community and school settings. The findings of this study will enable duty bearers, decision-makers, and service providers to prioritize initiatives for children with disabilities in Malawi to ensure their comprehensive breadth of rights is met. Points of interest This study examined how the rights of children with disabilities in Malawi are being met. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) provides a framework for developing policy, designing services, and implementing programs for children with disabilities based on their rights. Children with disabilities said they get support, feel respected by family, and don’t feel neglected or abandoned by their parents. The government, community, teachers, NGOs, and families are working together to support the rights of children with disabilities. Significant issues exist in providing inclusive education and preventing violence for children with disabilities, both in terms of services and policies. This study’s results will help those responsible for actions, decision-makers, and service providers in Malawi prioritize policies and programs for children with disabilities, ensuring that their full range of rights is addressed.
AB - Little is known about the realization of the rights of children with disabilities in Malawi, including which rights are being met or violated, where protection of rights must be reinforced, and ways that society can support the rights. This study explored the realization of the rights of children with disabilities in Malawi. Data generation included interviews with 30 children with disabilities (15 boys, 15 girls). Data were analyzed using content analysis and Taguette software, with codes generated relating to the UN CRPD articles. Findings indicate that children expressed discrimination and inequities toward the realization of multiple rights. In particular, there remain significant gaps in policy and programs addressing freedom from violence and abuse in community and school settings. The findings of this study will enable duty bearers, decision-makers, and service providers to prioritize initiatives for children with disabilities in Malawi to ensure their comprehensive breadth of rights is met. Points of interest This study examined how the rights of children with disabilities in Malawi are being met. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) provides a framework for developing policy, designing services, and implementing programs for children with disabilities based on their rights. Children with disabilities said they get support, feel respected by family, and don’t feel neglected or abandoned by their parents. The government, community, teachers, NGOs, and families are working together to support the rights of children with disabilities. Significant issues exist in providing inclusive education and preventing violence for children with disabilities, both in terms of services and policies. This study’s results will help those responsible for actions, decision-makers, and service providers in Malawi prioritize policies and programs for children with disabilities, ensuring that their full range of rights is addressed.
KW - Malawi
KW - Qualitative
KW - children
KW - disability
KW - human rights
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85198615459&partnerID=8YFLogxK
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U2 - 10.1080/09687599.2024.2379338
DO - 10.1080/09687599.2024.2379338
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85198615459
SN - 0968-7599
JO - Disability and Society
JF - Disability and Society
ER -