Social Protection for Persons with Disabilities in Arab Countries

Persons with disabilities in the Arab region, as elsewhere in the world, are one of the most marginalized and excluded population groups. They are often not visible in public life, as the social and physical environments remain inaccessible, and they are disproportionally affected by crises and disasters. Reporting on the ongoing violent conflicts across the region is largely silent on the plight of persons with disabilities, who are unable to run away from destruction, unaware of dangers facing them, or even left behind by their families. It is important to keep in mind that for each person killed, many more are severely injured or permanently disabled. 

This report focuses on social protection in the Arab region, taking its basis in the understanding of social protection as an integral part of the CRPD and the 2030 Agenda. The objective is to provide an overview of the social protection systems in several Arab countries, and to set these in relation to the specific situation and needs of persons with disabilities in light of the provisions of the CRPD and the Agenda 2030 with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals. It aims to enrich and expand the current discussion about ongoing reforms of social protection systems in several Arab countries.