04 December 2023, Bishkek – Today, UNDP presented two documents on promoting inclusive society in Kyrgyzstan: Glossary of key disability-inclusive terms and a brochure “Disability in the Media” for journalists. These documents are a collaborative effort between the disability community, civil society, state institutions, UN agencies, and UNDP.

Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative said in her opening speech that the theme for the International Day of People with Disabilities in 2023 is "United in action to rescue and achieve the SDGs for, with and by persons with disabilities". “I would like to emphasize that the key word combination in this slogan is "together with and for people with disabilities". This means that society should strive to include people with disabilities in decision-making and implementation of the SDGs through joint efforts,” said Alexandra Solovieva. 

Tolkun Isakov, a Deputy Chair of the Council on People with Disabilities under Cabinet of Ministers noted “We need to ratify the Optional Protocol of the UN Convention on Rights of People with Disabilities as it would strengthen human rights protection mechanisms in Kyrgyzstan, ensure effective implementation of the provisions of the Convention and prevent discrimination against people with disabilities.” 

This Glossary is a comprehensive resource on disability-inclusive terminology that recognizes diversity and promotes a rights-based approach to disability. The aim of the Glossary is to help us all develop a more inclusive society. This Glossary was compiled with the support of the UNDP project on “Strengthening Human Rights Protection and Equal Access to Justice in the Kyrgyz Republic” (phase III), funded by the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was approved by Order No. 150 dated September 4, 2023, of the Ministry of Labour, Social Welfare, and Migration of the Kyrgyz Republic. 

The brochure “Disability in the Media” was developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports, and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic, the community of people with disabilities, journalists, and representatives of UN agencies, and approved by the Council for Persons with Disabilities under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic.

The main goal of the brochure is to raise awareness among media workers (journalists, specialists in communications, bloggers, and others) about disability representation in the media. This brochure reveals the concept of disability and presents different approaches to its perception, introducing readers to the human rights-based approach to disabilities and the key principles of disability representation in different media resources.

Please download the brochure here and a glossary here.

These two documents are a starting point to for consistently changing our attitude toward disability.

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UNDP is the United Nations' global development network, an organization that promotes change and connects countries with knowledge, experience and resources to help people build better lives. We are on the ground in some 170 countries and territories, working with them to find solutions to global and national development challenges. As they build local capacity, they draw on UNDP staff and our wide range of partners.

Media Contact:

Ainagul Abdrakhmanova, UNDP Communications Officer - ainagul.abdrakhmanova@undp.org