At the Global Disability Summit in Berlin today, Equalities
Minister will highlight Scotland's
commitment that by 2030 at least half of Scotland's international
development funding will include a disability equality objective.
This will ensure that disabled people have improved access to
programmes in Scotland's partner countries Malawi and Zambia -
for instance giving disabled women and girls access to quality
education.
The Equalities Minister will also take part in events focusing on
disability equality and inclusion as well as meet with relevant
Ministers and interest groups.
Ms Stewart said:
“Scotland has a growing reputation at home and abroad for the
action it's taking to reduce the barriers disabled people face.
This is the first time Scotland has been invited in its own right
to the Global Disability Summit and this is an excellent
opportunity for us to showcase our culture of equality,
particularly our focus on giving disabled people a voice in the
decisions that affect them.
“Our work with our partner countries in Malawi and Zambia will be
shared at the World Bank roundtable on inclusiveness in
education. We will also highlight how Scotland is ensuring that
marginalised groups, including disabled people, are at the heart
of international climate action.
“However, I'm concerned that while the international picture is
improving, the UK Government is going ahead with taking away
disabled people's benefits to balance the budget and plans to
further reduce aid spending. We will continue to press them to
reverse these damaging cuts.”
Background
Global Disability Summit – 2nd -
3rd April, 2025 / Berlin
In terms of official development assistance, currently, according
to the organisers, only 0.2% of OECD Development Assistance
Committee projects target disability inclusion, despite the
progress made by previous Summits to highlight the issue.
