In 2018, the Government of Botswana indicated its commitment to accede to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and His Excellency the President of Botswana reiterated this commitment in his State of the Nation Address to the National Assembly in November 2018.

UNDP and the Government of Botswana have signed the “Support to the Fulfilment of Human Rights, Access to Justice and Empowerment of Women and Youth Project” (2018 – 2021) (“the Project”). Under the auspices of this Project, the Government of Botswana has requested support from UNDP to develop a National Disability Strategy and Disability Law and to revise the draft National Disability Policy, in preparation for accession to the CRPD.  This work commenced in late 2018 and will be completed in 2019.

In addition, in 2019 the Project will support a public awareness campaign to reduce stigma against people with disabilities and increase awareness of the CRPD and the national disability framework and capacity strengthening in this area.  Five short films are required in order to contribute to this public awareness campaign.