Overview

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Overview
Country Afghanistan

1/ Background Statistics
Human development index rank 155 1

GNI per capita (PPP in US$) 1,419 1

Life expectancy at birth (years) 44.6 1

Mean years of schooling (years) 3.3 1

Expected years of schooling (years) 8.0 1

Total population 28,150,000 2

2/ Disability Statistics
Population of persons with disabilities 800,000 3, a

Proportion of persons with disabilities
2.7 per cent 3
to total population
Employment rate of persons with 70 per cent of persons with disabilities
disabilities aged over 15 years are unemployed 3
73 per cent of persons with disabilities
Access to education above six years of age do not receive any
education 3

3/ Definitions
WHO International Classification of
Definition of disability
Functions Guidelines 3
Definition of persons with disabilities ..
Categories of impairment ..

4/ Commitment to Regional and International Instruments on Disability
Ratification of ILO Convention 159 Ratified Convention on 7 April 2010 4
Ratification or signatory of Convention
on the Rights of Persons with
No 5
Disabilities (CRPD), and its Optional
Protocol
Ratification or signatory of Convention
Signed Convention on 3 December 2008 6
on Cluster Munitions

5/ Legal Framework
Constitution of the Islamic Republic of
Constitutional provisions Afghanistan (2004, chap. II, art. 53; chap.
V, art. 84)
Disability-specific laws
Comprehensive No
Overview
Country Afghanistan

Sectoral ..
Disability-inclusive laws Cover: education

6/ Policy Framework
Disability-specific policies
National Disability Action Plan (2008-
Comprehensive
2011)
Sectoral No
Cover: national development
Disability-inclusive strategy; labour; education; health; social
protection

7/ Institutional Framework
The national coordination mechanism Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Martyrs
or disability focal point and Disabled
Sources:

1. United Nations Development Programme (2010). Human Development Report
2010 (New York, UNDP).
2. United Nations (2009). World Population Prospects: The 2008 Revision (United
Nations publication, Sales No. E.10.XIII.2).
3. Afghanistan (2008a). Afghanistan National Disability Action Plan 2008–2011.
4. International Labour Organization (2010). “Convention No. C 159”, accessed
from www.ilo.org/ilolex/cgi-lex/ratifce.pl?C159 on 14 December 2010.
5. United Nations (2010). “Convention and Optional Protocol Signatures and
Ratifications”, on the United Nations Enable website, accessed from
www.un.org/disabilities/countries.asp?navid=12&pid=166 on 14 December 2010.
6. Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) (2008). “Ratifications and Signatures”,
accessed from www.clusterconvention.org/pages/pages_i/i_statessigning.html on
14 December 2010.

Notes:

a. Based on the 2006 National Disability Survey estimate.

Comprehensive

1. Definitions
a) Disability

According to the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled, there
is a definition of disability in the draft National Law for the Rights and Privileges of
persons with disabilities, currently at the parliament for approval (Afghanistan
2009a)
The 2006 National Disability Survey on Afghanistan defined disability according
to the International Classification of Functions Guidelines by the World Health
Organization:

“Disability is the outcome of the interaction between a person with an
impairment (which can be acquired or congenital), the environment (for example
architectural barriers) and cultural attitudes (prejudice). Disability is a state that may
be modified, by reducing impairment, changing attitudes or adapting the
environment.” (Afghanistan 2008a).

b) Persons with disabilities

c) Categories of impairment

According to the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled, a
medical committee is mandated to identify and categorize the degree of disability.
The classification used by the medical committee is designed for war related
disabilities and does not cover other disabilities (Afghanistan 2009a).

2. Legal framework

a) Constitutional provisions

 Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, 2004
[English] – [Dari]

The disability-related provisions of the Constitution are as follows:

 “The state shall adopt necessary measures to regulate medical services as
well as financial aid to survivors of martyrs and missing persons, and for
reintegration of the disabled and handicapped and their active participation in
society, in accordance with provisions of the law. The state shall guarantee
the rights of retirees, and shall render necessary aid to the elderly, women
without caretaker, disabled and handicapped as well as poor orphans, in
accordance with provisions of the law.” (Afghanistan 2004, chap. II, art. 53).
 “Members of the House of Elders shall be elected and appointed as follows:
…The remaining one third of the members shall be appointed by the President,
for a five year term, from amongst experts and experienced personalities,
including two members from amongst the impaired and handicapped…”
(Afghanistan 2004, chap. V, art. 84)

b) Disability-specific laws and regulations

i. Comprehensive disability-specific laws and regulations

According to the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled, a draft
National Law for the Rights and Privileges of Persons with Disabilities is before the
Lower House awaiting for approval (Afghanistan 2009a).

ii. Sectoral disability-specific laws and regulations
..

c) Disability-inclusive laws and regulations

 Education Law
[English] – [Dari]

According to the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled, the
Education Law includes provisions to support persons with disabilities (Afghanistan
2009a).

3. Policies and plans

a) Disability-specific policies and plans

i. Comprehensive disability-specific policies and plans

 Afghanistan National Disability Action Plan 2008-2011
[English] – [Dari]

The Afghanistan National Disability Action Plan (Afghanistan 2008a) aims to
address the rights and needs of all persons with disabilities, including mine survivors,
within the framework of the Afghanistan National Development Strategy and the
Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of
Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction. The Plan covers the six key elements
of victim assistance and two additional areas, community based rehabilitation and
inclusive education, which have been identified as requiring more focused attention
in the Afghanistan context, including

1. data collection;
2. emergency and continuing medical care;
3. physical rehabilitation;
4. psychological support and social reintegration;
5. economic reintegration;
6. community based rehabilitation;
7. inclusive education; and
8. laws and public policies.

ii. Sectoral disability-specific policies and plans

b) Disability-inclusive policies and plans

 Afghanistan National Development Strategy
[English] – [Dari]

The Afghanistan National Development Strategy (Afghanistan 2008b) defines
the national development and poverty reduction policies, programmes and projects
that will be implemented from 2008 to 2013. The Strategy identifies poor persons
with disabilities and persons with mental disorders as among the most vulnerable
and the poorest of the poor who will be the focus of social protection programmes.
The issues identified relating to disability are the lack of vocational training and
higher rates of poverty. Priority areas include early detection and intervention of
disabilities through proper diagnosis; employment of more persons with disabilities
by the public administration; improved education and health care by providing
support for access to facilities, including specialized institutions and enabling schools
and universities to meet their needs; ensuring that special needs of persons with
disabilities will be better accounted for in the Basic Package of Health Services.

 National Education Strategic Plan 2010-2014
[English] – [Dari]

On of the goals with the National Education Strategic plan is that by 2014,
literacy courses will be provided for 3.6 million literacy learners (of whom 60% will
be women), with an emphasis on rural areas and increased attention to the needs of
adult people with disabilities and special needs. (Afghanistan 2009b, p. 4)

The policy of the Ministry is to provide equitable access to quality education for
all males and females without any form of discrimination. The Ministry is committed
to the provision of inclusive education and will provide equal access to education for
all children including girls, children with disabilities and other special educational
needs. (Afghanistan 2009b, p. 21)

There is only one school in Afghanistan (in Kabul) for students with visual
impairments. The school is administered by the Ministry of Education and
accommodates 150 students. There are four schools for students with hearing
impairments (two in Herat, one in Kabul and one in Jalalabad) accommodating 900
students altogether. The Ministry of Education, with support from UN agencies and
international organizations, is running 29 pilot general schools in Kabul for inclusive
education (where children with disabilities and without disabilities are learning
together). This initiative will gradually be replicated throughout the country. The
long-term goal is that all schools become inclusive and child-friendly, welcoming all
children regardless of their abilities, disabilities, backgrounds and circumstances.
There is also a large number of integrated schools throughout Afghanistan, where
children with disabilities learn in special classes and/or units located in ordinary
schools.

A shortage of teachers trained in inclusive education and a shortage of learning
materials for students with special educational needs are among the obstacles to the
development of inclusive education in Afghanistan. New school buildings will also be
designed to accommodate the needs of all children, including children with
disabilities. (Afghanistan 2009b)

 National Higher Education Strategic Plan 2010-2014
[English] – [Dari]

Emphasis on equity is given within the higher education system in Afghanistan.
The Ministry has to ensure equal and fair opportunities for all those who are eligible
to enter the higher education system. Emphasis will be placed on poor students with
potential, the physically challenged, rural people, gender equity, and others.
(Afghanistan 2009c, p. 5)

 National Labour Code
[English] – [Dari]
The National Labour Code is currently before the Lower House, which calls for
3 per cent of job opportunities and 20 per cent of vocational training opportunities to
be allocated for persons with disabilities (Afghanistan 2009a).

 Social Protection Five Year Strategy, Programme 4: Supporting the Disabled
[English] – [Dari]

The Social Protection Five Year Strategy incorporates a benchmark on disability
as follows: “By end 2010 increased assistance will be provided to meet the special
needs of all disabled people, including their integration in society through
opportunities for education and gainful employment.” (Afghanistan 2005a,
programme 4)

 Basic Package of Health Services
[English] – [Dari]

Disability is one of the seven priority areas of the Basic Package of Health
Services (Afghanistan 2005b). It includes programmes for increasing awareness,
prevention, and early detection, treatment of disabilities, referral and follow-up of
disabling conditions.

4. Institutional framework and Government focal point

 Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled

The Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled is the main
Government arm for disability affairs in Afghanistan. The Ministry has established its
departments in all provinces to strengthen its capacity for targeting and cooperating
with nongovernmental organizations and donors. The Ministry works with other
Ministries and nongovernmental organizations to address disability issues in
Afghanistan.

The Ministry can be contacted at the following:

Mr. Sadiq Mohibi, Disability Coordinator
Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled in Afghanistan.
Tel: + 93(0) 799 35 36
Email: sadiqmohibi@gmail.com

Website: www.molsamd.gov.af/

5. Useful links

Disability World
www.disabilityworld.org/12-02_05/il/afghanistan.shtml

Mine Action Coordination Center of Afghanistan
www.macca.org.af

Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission
www.aihrc.org.af
Afghan Landmine Survivors’ Organization
www.afghanlandminesurvivors.org

Disability and Ability Organization
www.daoafghanistan.org

Bu Ali Rehabilitation & Aid Network
www.baran.af

International Committee of the Red Cross
www.icrc.org

International Rescue Committee
www.theirc.org/afghanistan

Serving Emergency Relief and Vocational Enterprises SERVE
www.serveafghanistan.org

Swedish Committee for Afghanistan
www.sca.org.af

Handicap International HI
www.handicap-international.org

International Assistance Mission
www.iam-afghanistan.org

Delegation of the European Commission to Afghanistan EC
www.delafg.ec.europa.eu

6. References

Afghanistan (2004). Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, accessed
from www.president.gov.af/sroot_eng.aspx?id=68 on 14 December 2010.

_______ (2005a). Social Protection Five Year Strategy, accessed
from http://presidentoffice.gov.af/en/socialprotection.htm on 28 May 2009.

_______ (2005b). Basic Package of Health Services for Afghanistan, 2005/1384,
accessed from www.msh.org/afghanistan/pdf/Afghanistan_BPHS_2005_1384.pdf on
14 December 2010.

_______ (2006). Comprehensive National Disability Policy in Afghanistan, accessed
from www.who.int/disabilities/policies/documents/Afghanistan.pdf on 14 December
2010.

_______ (2007). Ministry Strategy for the Afghanistan National Development
Strategy (Draft), Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled, accessed
from www.acbar.org/ministry%20strategies/MoLSAMD%20-%20English.pdf on 9
March 2009.

_______ (2008a). Afghanistan National Disability Action Plan 2008 – 2011, accessed
from www.apminebanconvention.org/fileadmin/pdf/mbc/IWP/SC_june08/Speeches-
VA/SCVA-StatusImplem-3June08-Afghanistan-ActionPlan-en.pdf on 14 December
2010.

_______ (2008b). Afghanistan National Development Strategy (2008-2013),
accessed from
www.budgetmof.gov.af/sectors/Socail_Protection/Sector_Strategies/Refugees%20an
d%20IDPs.pdf on 14 December 2010.

_______ (2009a). Sadiq Mohibi, Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Martyrs and
Disabled, electronic Communication with ESCAP, 23 June 2009.

_______ (2009b). National Education Strategic Plan for Afghanistan 2010-2014
(draft), accessed from
http://planipolis.iiep.unesco.org/upload/Afghanistan/Afghanistan_NESP_II_2010-
2014_draft.pdf on 14 December 2010.

_______ (2009c). National Higher Education Strategic Plan for Afghanistan
2010-2014, accessed from
http://planipolis.iiep.unesco.org/upload/Afghanistan/Afghanistan_HESP_2010-
2014.pdf on 14 December 2010.

Last updated: 14 December 2010