Consultancy to conduct Policy scan on Disability Rights Inclusion and Integration at MEA country level.

Background and Context
Sonke Gender Justice, established in 2006, is an organisation that strives to prevent domestic and sexual violence, reduce the spread and impact of HIV and AIDS, and promote gender equality and human rights. Sonke ’s work is in all of South Africa’s nine provinces and in 24 countries across Southern, Eastern, Central and Western Africa through the MenEngage Africa (MEA) partnership. Globally, Sonke works in partnership with various development agencies, members of the Global MenEngage Alliance and other international networks and affiliates.

The MenEngage Strategic plan seeks to advance disability rights, mainstream inclusion, participation and agency of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in all streams of our work as submitted in the MEA Strategic Plan 2024-2027, which espouse a range of critical thematic areas including Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), HIV/AIDS, gender-based violence, peace and security, climate justice, and youth participation. We recognize the need to engage men and boys, while ensuring the empowerment of women, girls, and diverse communities, and providing a platform for meaningful youth participation. It is within this context that we seek to contribute to advancing rights and wellbeing of PWDs on the African continent.

Over a billion people, about 15% of the world’s population, have some form of disability. The number of people living with disabilities is expected to double to two billion by 20501. Some 80% of PWDs live in developing countries, while an estimated 60–80 millions of them are living in Africa. People with disabilities are estimated to account for 10% of the general African population, but the proportion may be as high as 20% in the poorer regions.
Several Africa countries have ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Article 25 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) reinforces the right of persons with disabilities to attain the highest standard of health care, without discrimination. The 2018 Disability Protocol to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (Banjul Charter) is a useful instrument of monumental significance, e.g., Article 17 on the right to health for PWDs2People with disabilities report seeking more health care than people without disabilities and have greater unmet needs. The access to and uptake of sexual and reproductive health and rights for people with disabilities is one of the important milestones to reach the global commitment to universal health coverage and the Sustainable3pment Goals. Women and girls with disabilities, and particularly those with psychosocial, hearing, and intellectual disabilities, are more at risk of sexual violence and other forms of GBV due to negative attitudes by individuals and societies. Many factors disproportionately expose women with disabilities to violence compared with other women and men with disabilities (gender gap). A growing number of large-scale studies suggest that people with disabilities are at greater risk of sexual victimization than nondisabled individuals.

The SDGs also explicitly include disability and persons with disabilities 11 times. Disability is referenced in multiple parts of the SDGs, specifically in the parts related to education, growth and employment, inequality, accessibility of human settlements, as well as data collection and the monitoring of the SDGs. Disability is thus an important part of the SDG agenda.

African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (Banjul Charter) is a useful instrument of monumental significance, e.g., Article 17 on the right to health for PWDs2People with disabilities report seeking more health care than people without disabilities and have greater unmet needs. The access to and uptake of sexual and reproductive health and rights for people with disabilities is one of the important milestones to reach the global commitment to universal health coverage and the Sustainable3pment Goals. Women and girls with disabilities, and particularly those with psychosocial, hearing, and intellectual disabilities, are more at risk of sexual violence and other forms of GBV due to negative attitudes by individuals and societies. Many factors disproportionately expose women with disabilities to violence compared with other women and men with disabilities (gender gap). A growing number of large-scale studies suggest that people with disabilities are at greater risk of sexual victimization than nondisabled individuals.

The SDGs also explicitly include disability and persons with disabilities 11 times. Disability is referenced in multiple parts of the SDGs, specifically in the parts related to education, growth and employment, inequality, accessibility of human settlements, as well as data collection and the monitoring of the SDGs. Disability is thus an important part of the SDG agenda.

Objective of the consultancy
The assignment aims to generate verifiable, high-quality data on the adoption and implementation of global, regional, and national disability rights policy frameworks, while developing a practical approach to integrate disability rights into MEA’s programming—particularly in SRHR access and GBV prevention and mitigation—as well as its advocacy efforts across all MEA themes.

Scope of Work and Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the MEA Regional Campaigns and Advocacy Specialist, the consultant will:

  • The assignment will conduct a disability inclusion analysis by: (1) reviewing partners’ program/advocacy reports and national disability policies, including implementation of international frameworks; and (2) collecting primary data through focus groups, interviews, and other methods.
  • Interview MEA country teams, Sonke staff and key stakeholders on integration and mainstreaming of disability rights across all MEA programme themes and policy work on engaging men and boys.
  • Create a disability and accountability guidance note for integration of disability rights in MEA programs covering key themes, model interventions, measurement approaches, and project design requirements.

Key Deliverables
This consultancy is aimed at producing two deliverables, viz;
a) MEA Countries Baseline report: A situational profile of MEA country partners’ (and their own governments) extent of integration of disability rights and international frameworks in programming, structure and national level policy making- A baseline report.
b) Guidance Note: A disability rights integration guidance note focusing on engaging men and boys in promoting the African Disability Rights Protocol and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability across all strategic themes of MEA program work and policy advocacy.

Cross Cutting Theme
A central approach in this consultancy is the question; How to engage men and boys in addressing disability rights violations and exclusion using a policy advocacy approach.
Experience and Qualifications

Academic Qualifications:

  • A Master’s degree in social sciences, applied sciences, gender studies, human rights, public health, or a related field.

Professional Experience:

  • At least 10 years of experience in gender, human rights, social development, and disability rights.
  • Previous experience working with international or regional organizations, government entities, or NGOs.
  • Expertise in engaging men and boys, masculinity issues, SRHR, and SGBV.
  • Experience working in the African region on gender justice, SRHR, and SGBV.
  • Strong analytical, research, and report-writing skills.
  • Proven ability to develop proposals, work plans, and progress reports.
  • Excellent teamwork, communication, and advocacy skills.

Submission

Interested applicants should submit the following documents by 09 April 2025 to tinashe@genderjustice.org.za

  1. Technical Proposal (PDF format):
    • A cover letter explaining suitability for the consultancy.
    • A brief methodology outlining the approach to conducting the assignment.
  2. Financial Proposal:
    • A detailed breakdown of costs – Assignment is for 20 days
  3. Curriculum Vitae (CV):
    • Detailing relevant experience, with at least three references from similar projects.

Disclaimer: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.