Ugandan Advocate Champions Disability Rights at the UN Conference
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- Ugandan Advocate Champions Disability Rights at the UN Conference
New York, NY – Bunn Compare, a Ugandan disability rights advocate and recipient of the Human Rights watch Marca Bristo Fellowship for Heroic Leadership in Disability Rights, recently addressed member state representatives at the united Nations Conference of State parties (COSP) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Compare shared her personal experiences and advocated for the rights and inclusion of people with psychosocial disabilities.
Lived Experience Drives Advocacy
Compare’s journey into disability rights advocacy stems from her own experiences navigating the mental health system in Uganda. As a university student in the early 2000s, she experienced psychological distress and sought support, only to find herself confined to a psychiatric hospital where she faced isolation and a lack of adequate care. This experience ignited a passion for human rights activism,leading her to dedicate her life to ensuring that others would not endure similar trauma.
Did You Know? The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) has been ratified by 186 countries as of 2024, demonstrating a global commitment to disability rights.
Building Community Support in Uganda
Driven by her experiences, Compare founded the Mental Health Recovery Initiative in Uganda. This organization provides community-based support to individuals with psychosocial disabilities, offering alternatives to institutional responses that often violate a person’s autonomy and bodily integrity. The initiative works closely with families, providing education and resources to enable them to offer more helpful support. in addition to mental health peer support, the organization also addresses practical needs such as housing and employment.
Alternatives to Institutionalization
The Mental Health Recovery Initiative champions community-based solutions,moving away from traditional institutional settings. This approach aligns with global trends emphasizing the importance of community mental health services. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), access to community-based mental health services remains limited, with significant disparities between high-income and low-income countries. The WHO promotes the development of extensive, integrated mental health systems that prioritize community-based care.
at the UN conference, Compare shared her experiences and urged member state representatives to listen to the voices of people with lived experience. she emphasized that people with psychosocial disabilities are a valuable part of the rich diversity of human beings and should be treated with equal respect, not locked away.Her advocacy aligns with the growing global movement towards deinstitutionalization and the promotion of human rights-based approaches to mental health care.
Pro Tip: Engaging with disability rights organizations and advocates can provide valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities for promoting inclusion and equality.
The Marca Bristo Fellowship
Compare’s advocacy work has been further supported by the Human Rights Watch Marca Bristo Fellowship, which she received last year. This fellowship has allowed her to expand her understanding of disability rights research and advocacy. As part of the fellowship, she visited Access Living in Chicago, an organization founded by disability rights activist Marca Bristo, where she witnessed a holistic support system in practice.
The Human Rights Watch Marca Bristo Fellowship honors courageous leadership in disability rights, providing recipients with opportunities to enhance their advocacy skills and expand their impact.
health Equity for Persons with Disabilities
The World Health Organization emphasizes that disability inclusion is critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and global health priorities, including universal health coverage [[3]]. Acting to achieve health equity for persons with disabilities is acting to achieve Health for All. The WHO provides guidance to ministries of health on integrating disability inclusion into health systems governance,planning,and monitoring processes [[2]].
| Organization | Focus | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Mental Health Recovery Initiative | Community support for psychosocial disabilities | Uganda |
| Access Living | Holistic support system for people with disabilities | Chicago, USA |
| Human rights Watch | Advocacy for disability rights | Global |
Evergreen Insights: Disability rights and Inclusion
The movement for disability rights has gained momentum in recent decades, driven by the recognition that people with disabilities face significant barriers to full participation in society. These barriers can include discrimination, lack of access to education and employment, and inadequate healthcare services. The CRPD provides a framework for countries to address these barriers and promote inclusion.
The WHO’s World report on Disability highlights the importance of addressing the social and environmental factors that contribute to disability. these factors can include poverty,lack of access to healthcare,and discrimination. By addressing these factors, societies can create more inclusive environments that enable people with disabilities to thrive [[1]].
Frequently Asked Questions About Disability Rights
- What are some common misconceptions about people with disabilities?
- Common misconceptions include assuming that all people with disabilities need help, that they are unable to work, or that their quality of life is inherently lower than that of people without disabilities.
- How can I be a better ally to people with disabilities?
- Educate yourself about disability issues, listen to the experiences of people with disabilities, challenge ableist attitudes and behaviors, and advocate for inclusive policies and practices.
- What resources are available for people with disabilities?
- Numerous organizations and government agencies provide resources and support for people with disabilities, including advocacy groups, service providers, and disability rights centers.
What steps can governments take to ensure the rights of people with disabilities are protected? how can communities become more inclusive and welcoming to individuals with disabilities?
Disclaimer: This article provides information about disability rights advocacy and is not intended to provide legal or medical advice. Consult with qualified professionals for specific guidance.
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