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. 2018 May 10;13(5):e0196347.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0196347. eCollection 2018.

Realization of the rights of persons with disabilities in Rwanda

Janet Njelesani  1 , Jenna Siegel  1 , Emily Ullrich  1
Affiliations

Realization of the rights of persons with disabilities in Rwanda

Janet Njelesani et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

This scoping study assessed the realization of the rights for persons with disabilities in Rwanda since the signing of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) in 2008. Underpinned by the five-stage framework of Arksey and O'Malley, the scoping study examined peer-reviewed literature published between 2008 and 2017. Nine electronic databases were searched using keywords specific to disability in Rwanda. Data were charted by three reviewers according to pre-determined and emergent categories. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the data sources. A total of 60 scholarly articles met the inclusion criteria. Within the research, studies pertaining to the UN CRPD Articles of health, awareness raising, accessibility, and children with disabilities were the most published. The literature identified a movement towards the realization of the rights for persons with disabilities in Rwanda since the country signed the UN CRPD. Despite efforts to meet these rights, discrimination against persons with disabilities still exists and greater investment in the disability sector is needed, particularly for justice, social protection, and mental health services. Given the state of the evidence, concerning research gaps also exist in regards to deinstitutionalization and protection issues (i.e., violence and abuse). This consolidation of evidence may help to inform the decision-making priorities for government and civil society organizations in policy and programming and also direct future research.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Study selection process.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Number of studies published per UN CRPD Article.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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