Exploring equity and inclusion in Malawi’s National Disability Mainstreaming Strategy and Implementation Plan
Abstract Background Equity and inclusion are important principles in policy development and implementation. The aim of this study is to explore the extent to which equity and inclusion were considered in the development of Malawi’s National Disability Mainstreaming Strategy and Implementation Plan....
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doaj-6533190de76d4de1b29ed4b84f58766f2021-01-10T12:44:28ZengBMCInternational Journal for Equity in Health1475-92762021-01-012011710.1186/s12939-020-01378-yExploring equity and inclusion in Malawi’s National Disability Mainstreaming Strategy and Implementation PlanIkenna D. Ebuenyi0Emma M. Smith1Alister Munthali2Steven W. Msowoya3Juba Kafumba4Monica Z. Jamali5Malcolm MacLachlan6Assisting Living & Learning (ALL) Institute, Department of Psychology, Maynooth UniversityAssisting Living & Learning (ALL) Institute, Department of Psychology, Maynooth UniversityCentre for Social Research, University of MalawiIndependent Consultant in Disability and DevelopmentCentre for Social Research, University of MalawiCentre for Social Research, University of MalawiAssisting Living & Learning (ALL) Institute, Department of Psychology, Maynooth UniversityAbstract Background Equity and inclusion are important principles in policy development and implementation. The aim of this study is to explore the extent to which equity and inclusion were considered in the development of Malawi’s National Disability Mainstreaming Strategy and Implementation Plan. Methods We applied an analytical methodology to review the Malawi’s National Disability Mainstreaming Strategy and Implementation Plan using the EquIPP (Equity and Inclusion in Policy Processes) tool. The EquIPP tool assesses 17 Key Actions to explore the extent of equity and inclusion. Results The development of the Malawi National Disability Mainstreaming Strategy and Implementation Plan was informed by a desire to promote the rights, opportunities and wellbeing of persons with disability in Malawi. The majority (58%) of the Key Actions received a rating of three, indicating evidence of clear, but incomplete or only partial engagement of persons with disabilities in the policy process. Three (18%) of the Key Actions received a rating of four indicating that all reasonable steps to engage in the policy development process were observed. Four (23%) of the Key Actions received a score five indicating a reference to Key Action in the core documents in the policy development process. Conclusions The development of disability policies and associated implementation strategies requires equitable and inclusive processes that consider input from all stakeholders especially those whose wellbeing depend on such policies. It is pivotal for government and organisations in the process of policy or strategy development and implementation, to involve stakeholders in a virtuous process of co-production – co-implementation – co-evaluation, which may strengthen both the sense of inclusion and the effectiveness of the policy life-cycle.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-020-01378-yEquityInclusionPersons with disabilitiesEquIPPMalawiPolicy process |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Ikenna D. Ebuenyi Emma M. Smith Alister Munthali Steven W. Msowoya Juba Kafumba Monica Z. Jamali Malcolm MacLachlan |
spellingShingle |
Ikenna D. Ebuenyi Emma M. Smith Alister Munthali Steven W. Msowoya Juba Kafumba Monica Z. Jamali Malcolm MacLachlan Exploring equity and inclusion in Malawi’s National Disability Mainstreaming Strategy and Implementation Plan International Journal for Equity in Health Equity Inclusion Persons with disabilities EquIPP Malawi Policy process |
author_facet |
Ikenna D. Ebuenyi Emma M. Smith Alister Munthali Steven W. Msowoya Juba Kafumba Monica Z. Jamali Malcolm MacLachlan |
author_sort |
Ikenna D. Ebuenyi |
title |
Exploring equity and inclusion in Malawi’s National Disability Mainstreaming Strategy and Implementation Plan |
title_short |
Exploring equity and inclusion in Malawi’s National Disability Mainstreaming Strategy and Implementation Plan |
title_full |
Exploring equity and inclusion in Malawi’s National Disability Mainstreaming Strategy and Implementation Plan |
title_fullStr |
Exploring equity and inclusion in Malawi’s National Disability Mainstreaming Strategy and Implementation Plan |
title_full_unstemmed |
Exploring equity and inclusion in Malawi’s National Disability Mainstreaming Strategy and Implementation Plan |
title_sort |
exploring equity and inclusion in malawi’s national disability mainstreaming strategy and implementation plan |
publisher |
BMC |
series |
International Journal for Equity in Health |
issn |
1475-9276 |
publishDate |
2021-01-01 |
description |
Abstract Background Equity and inclusion are important principles in policy development and implementation. The aim of this study is to explore the extent to which equity and inclusion were considered in the development of Malawi’s National Disability Mainstreaming Strategy and Implementation Plan. Methods We applied an analytical methodology to review the Malawi’s National Disability Mainstreaming Strategy and Implementation Plan using the EquIPP (Equity and Inclusion in Policy Processes) tool. The EquIPP tool assesses 17 Key Actions to explore the extent of equity and inclusion. Results The development of the Malawi National Disability Mainstreaming Strategy and Implementation Plan was informed by a desire to promote the rights, opportunities and wellbeing of persons with disability in Malawi. The majority (58%) of the Key Actions received a rating of three, indicating evidence of clear, but incomplete or only partial engagement of persons with disabilities in the policy process. Three (18%) of the Key Actions received a rating of four indicating that all reasonable steps to engage in the policy development process were observed. Four (23%) of the Key Actions received a score five indicating a reference to Key Action in the core documents in the policy development process. Conclusions The development of disability policies and associated implementation strategies requires equitable and inclusive processes that consider input from all stakeholders especially those whose wellbeing depend on such policies. It is pivotal for government and organisations in the process of policy or strategy development and implementation, to involve stakeholders in a virtuous process of co-production – co-implementation – co-evaluation, which may strengthen both the sense of inclusion and the effectiveness of the policy life-cycle. |
topic |
Equity Inclusion Persons with disabilities EquIPP Malawi Policy process |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-020-01378-y |
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