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The United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD) Zimbabwe Project Team led by UNESCO will host a virtual capacity building workshop on 27 May 2021 to strengthen Zimbabwe’s national disability data collection processes.

The workshop will review and unpack the current disability data collection system in the major ministries of the government (the methodology for that collection, and how that data is used). It will also explore possible models for the Department of Disability Affairs (Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare) to efficiently collect and manage data to inform policy and national programming on disability inclusion. 

The workshop is set to provide the impetus for the development of a strategic plan for the improvement and harmonization of disability data collection across ministries. After the workshop, a Position/Advocacy Paper on Strengthening Disability Data System in Zimbabwe will be produced to help the Government understand the challenges and benefits of setting up a whole-of-government data management system on disability in line with Article 31 of the (CRPD). The paper will include benchmarks and best practices, gaps and opportunities as well as recommendations to the UN, Government, Development Partners and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities on strengthening this area.

Article 31 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities urges State Parties to collect appropriate disability statistics and data to assist in/assess the implementation of the Convention. Zimbabwe recently adopted the National Disability Policy that will be implemented in a whole-of-government approach in advancing disability rights across sectors. To this end, setting up and strengthening disability data system will be essential, to facilitate policy implementation, inter-sectoral coordination, monitoring and evaluation, as well as consolidating the national disaster and risk management system in the face of hazards and pandemics. 

With the country undertaking its national Census this year, it also offers unique momentum for ensuring that disability data is collected nationally, using the standard tools as such as the Washington Group Questions.

Disability Focal Points/Relevant staff from Government Line Ministries, including the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs (Chair of CRPD State Reporting Processes) and the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare; UNPRPD Project team and the National Disability Board are expected to participate in the workshop together with other stakeholders.