Implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa: a Scoping Review

Gwarega Chibaya; Tongai Fibion Chichaya; Pragashnie Govender; Deshini Naidoo

doi:10.47985/dcidj.532

Gwarega Chibaya ⁽¹⁾, Tongai Fibion Chichaya ⁽²⁾, Pragashnie Govender ⁽³⁾, Deshini Naidoo ⁽⁴⁾

(1) Discipline of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, South Africa,

(2) Bournemouth University, United Kingdom,

(3) University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa,

(4) University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

https://doi.org/10.47985/dcidj.532

Issue
Vol. 32 No. 4: Winter 2021

Submitted
September 22, 2021

Published
February 1, 2022

Keywords:

Country reports, implementation, scoping review, disability rights, treaty

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Abstract

Aim: The UNCRPD is an international treaty that promotes the advancement of the rights of persons with disabilities. This scoping review aimed to map the evidence on strategies employed by countries in implementing the UNCRPD in Africa and the implementation challenges faced.

Method: The PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-Scr) was used in this study. Key terms pertinent to the implementation of the UNCRPD in Africa were used to search for literature. Strict eligibility criteria were set and a qualitative data extraction template developed. Two reviewers worked independently to extract and chart data into data extraction forms. An analysis of country reports was also conducted to identify relationships between the African country reports and findings from the studies included in the scoping review. Inductive reasoning enabled the generation of themes. A total of 107 sources were initially retrieved and after a process of screening and exclusion, 31 sources (11 research papers and 20 country reports) were included for inductive analysis.

Results: The study revealed evidence of implementation of UNCRPD in Africa, albeit limited, especially to the area of education, and employment. However, there are unique contextual limitations in implementation of UNCRPD in Africa. The country reports reflected similar implementation issues to those identified in studies selected for this paper.

Conclusion and Implications: This calls for African governments to broaden focus on implementation of other articles of the UNCRPD in order to create inclusive societies.

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Authors

Gwarega Chibaya

Discipline of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

Tongai Fibion Chichaya

Bournemouth University

chichayatf@gmail.com (Primary Contact)

Pragashnie Govender

University of KwaZulu Natal

Deshini Naidoo

University of KwaZulu Natal

Author Biographies

Tongai Fibion Chichaya, Bournemouth University

Tongai has Bachelor's and Master's degrees and a Ph.D. in Occupational Therapy Biostatement. He is currently a Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy at Bournemouth University.

Pragashnie Govender, University of KwaZulu Natal

Pragashnie has a Ph.D. (UKZN). She is an Associate Professor in Discipline of Occupational Therapy School of Health Sciences at University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa,

Deshini Naidoo, University of KwaZulu Natal

Dr Deshini Naidoo BOccTh (UDW); MOT (UKZN); PhD (UKZN) is a Senior Lecturer, Discipline of Occupational Therapy School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa,

1.

Chibaya G, Chichaya TF, Govender P, Naidoo D. Implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa: a Scoping Review. DCIDJ [Internet]. 2022 Feb. 1 [cited 2025 Feb. 23];32(4):134-5. Available from: https://dcidj.uog.edu.et/index.php/up-j-dcbrid/article/view/532

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