The Government of Eswatini, in collaboration with UNESCO, unveiled its first Costed National Disability Action Plan (2024–2028), marking a major milestone in translating disability rights into concrete, funded action and strengthening disability-inclusive development across the country.
The launch, supported by the UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa (UNESCO ROSA) in partnership with the Government of Eswatini, brought together senior government officials, Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), United Nations agencies, development partners and civil society representatives to reaffirm the country’s commitment to ensuring that persons with disabilities are fully included in national development.
The Plan provides the first comprehensive, costed roadmap for implementing Eswatini’s Disability Act of 2018, setting out clear priorities, financing requirements, coordination mechanisms and accountability measures to ensure disability inclusion is integrated across government policies and programmes. It also strengthens the country’s implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which Eswatini ratified in 2012.
“The Costed National Disability Action Plan positions disability inclusion as a national development priority and provides a clear roadmap for action through coordinated implementation, sustained investment, stronger institutions and effective partnerships.” said United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mr. George Wachira.
The launch marks the culmination of UNESCO’s support under the Global Disability Fund Programme (formerly the UNPRPD Programme), implemented jointly with UNICEF and UNFPA between 2022 and January 2026. During this period, UNESCO worked closely with the Government of Eswatini to strengthen disability governance by establishing and operationalising the national disability coordination mechanism, building institutional capacity across key ministries, promoting CRPD-compliant budgeting, and supporting the inclusive development and costing of the National Disability Plan of Action.
The National Disability Plan focuses on ten priority areas: national coordination and disability mainstreaming; advocacy and awareness; education and training; health and well-being; skills development and employment; social protection; gender equality and under-represented groups; emergency situations, humanitarian action and food security; sports and culture; and infrastructure and the environment. Together, these priorities provide a practical framework for coordinated implementation and sustainable investment in disability inclusion.
A defining feature of the Plan is its inclusive development process. It was shaped through extensive consultations involving government ministries, Organizations of Persons with Disabilities, United Nations agencies and development partners, ensuring that the priorities reflect the lived experiences of persons with disabilities while aligning national ambitions with realistic financing requirements.
The launch of Eswatini’s Costed National Disability Plan of Action signals a significant step towards building a more inclusive society where persons with disabilities can participate fully and equally in every aspect of national life. It also reinforces UNESCO’s commitment to supporting Member States across Southern Africa in strengthening disability-inclusive governance, advancing human rights and accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring that no one is left behind.
