Somalilandsun: The Rapid Assessment of the Status of Children with Disabilities in Somalia (“Assessment”) reviews the current situation of children with disabilities in the four cities of Mogadishu, Galkaio, Baidoa and Kismaio in Somalia.
In commissioning this independent Assessment, the Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development (MoWHRD) sought to understand the key barriers to the participation of children with disabilities in society, including their access to the services they are entitled to enjoy.
The Government’s 2020 Somali Health and Demographic Survey (SHDS) estimated that persons with disabilities constituted five percent of the population and while acknowledging such a finding, this Assessment sought to understand the prevalence of disability through anecdotal discussions.
The Assessment respondents had varied perceptions, for example, in Baidoa, they stated that the number of children with disabilities was high in the city. Similarly, in Galkaio and Kismaio, respondents indicated that the prevalence was high without being specific as to where and why
The study concludes that there are many girls and boys with disabilities in Somalia with different forms of physical, psychological and social impairments. Awareness about the rights of children with disabilities is still low. Community attitudes towards children with disability are still largely negative and non-supportive to the well-being of the children. Similarly, skills for supporting children with disabilities are still largely lacking. Discrimination against children with disabilities is still rampant in Somalia. There are limited redress mechanisms in the community available to the children, their parents and support persons.
As a result, enjoyment of rights by children with disabilities is still a challenge throughout Somalia.
Read full Rapid Assessment of the Status of Children with Disabilities in Somalia report HERE
