An investigation into political and sociosocio-economic participation challenges faced by people with disabilities in South Sudan

Abstract

This study investigated barriers to people with disabilities in political and socio-economic participation in South Sudan. The ongoing conflict in South Sudan has disrupted government institutions and the rights of people have been compromised. People with disabilities have been subjected to attitudinal, environmental and institutional barriers. The study through the human development and social contract theories identifies the need to develop people with disabilities and enable their full functionality as well as key aspects to maintain the social contract between South Sudan and its people. People with disabilities have acquired their impairments mainly as a result of conflict and the poor health sector. The government of South Sudan has been unable in popularise disability-inclusive policies and did not ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The education sector has also been a challenge and people with disabilities have the highest illiteracy levels. There has not been any compensations to those involved and injured as a result of the conflict and people with disabilities remain poor with no provision of basic services. People of South Sudan depend mainly on agricultural produce but with the crumbling economy, men and women must share responsibilities to survive. Only a few people in the country are employed in industries and people with disabilities are marginalised as they are perceived to be sick. Many people with disabilities are not employed and are unable to provide for their basic needs. Women and young girls with disabilities experience multiple discriminations for being women and having disabilities. The delay in the popularisation of draft disability policies has prolonged the unbearable conditions, including in United Nations camps. People with disabilities remain excluded from political participation while disabled people’s organisations have been advocating for their inclusion. These organisations have received little attention from the government and their sustainability depends on funding from external actors. Conflict aggravates poverty which leads to severe disabilities. The government of South Sudan has little economic potential of addressing disparities and the ongoing conflict becomes a barrier to move to a human-development approach to disability. Non-ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) encourages a lack of international compliance. Low levels of disability rights advocacy

as well as the poor education system have hindered the programme of emancipating people with disabilities.