Disability data implementation workshop hosted
The National Federation of People with Disabilities in Namibia (NFPDN) in collaboration with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) conducted a Regional Disability Data Implementation Workshop under the theme: “Disability Disaggregated Data Benefits All” at the coast recently.The workshop attracted various stakeholders including the National Disability Council of Namibia (NDCN), Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), members of the disability fraternity, and the deputy mayor of Swakopmund David Am-!Gabeb. The workshop focused on raising awareness on the importance of disaggregated disability data collection.
Speaking at the event, Am-!Gabeb said that disability disaggregated data is an important requirement to identify the needs and challenges of persons with disabilities. “It assists in providing solutions that can improve their lives which is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) as well as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).”
In his presentation, Tommy Harris, a senior statistician of the NSA, emphasised the importance of incorporating the Washington Group Questions (WGQ) in the upcoming National and Housing Census. He also spoke of the importance of collecting data, the history on collecting data on disability, the challenges encountered during data collection and much more.
In addition, Jennifer Madans from the Center for Inclusive Policy, explained the need to collect data on disability and how the Washington Group on Disability Statistics Question sets, fill the need for persons with disabilities.
Stats underdeveloped
According to Rachel Shiweda from GIZ, disability statistics have up to now not been well developed or utilized compared to other statistics. She added that persons with disabilities are often invisible in national data sets. Therefore, she was pleased to announce that the new disability data collection initiative includes persons with disabilities in the data collection process.
The chairperson of the NFPDN, Matheus Hashoongo, reiterated the importance of disseminating disaggregated disability data as this will have an impact on both government and private sectors policies.
All speakers and presenters had the same message on the importance of disaggregated disability data, namely: “We need to collectively improve disability data collection. It is the only way to ensure that Namibia becomes a fully inclusive society that is responsive to the needs of persons with disabilities.”