By Mr. Bagival Pradeep Kumar
Government accountability for persons with disability depends on whether governments turn legal commitments into coordinated policies, adequate budgets, reliable data, and measurable action. In this Center for Inclusive Policy (CIP) forum, contributors discuss practical ways to strengthen accountability for disability inclusion, including engagement with parliamentarians, cross-ministerial coordination, and the use of budget analysis.
What Role Does Data Play in Accountability?
Kiran’s views about government leading disability inclusion debates and dialogues with the support from development partners is very relevant in this context. Importance of robust data as evidence for developing national policies and programs has been given due priority by most of the participants.
Many participants have expressed their views on effective coordination amongst ministries and this is one critical area for development partners to support governments in developing a national coordination mechanism to mainstream disability across sectors. Often UN entities are technical partners in supporting governments in formulation of development plans. It is quintessential for UN to advocate for disability inclusion and to do this, UN Country Teams have to ensure disability inclusion across all pillars of their work and as envisaged in the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy.
How Can OPDs Push for Government Accountability?
It is an established fact that the national constitutions represent the will of the people and is the primary framework for the legislature, executive and the judiciary to safeguard and promote the rights of all its citizens including citizens with disabilities. Since governments have a constitutional mandate to promote and protect the rights of citizens with disabilities, OPDs should skillfully advocate for the realization of their rights on the basis of their national constitution and the national disability law. Dan has shared good practices from some of the countries that have undertaken budget analysis to hold governments accountable. Perhaps the best way to strengthen accountability is by engaging with parliamentarians and to share the results of the analysis so that there is debate on the floor of the legislature and the government is held accountable.
Development partners should review their respective policies and use ‘disability inclusion markers’ to ensure technical and financial assistance to national governments are disability inclusive
