Terms of Reference Mid-Term Evaluation Strengthening the Civil Society Regional Partnerships in favour of the ratification, domestication and implementation of the African Disability Protocol (ADP)

Terms of Reference Mid-Term Evaluation Strengthening the Civil Society Regional Partnerships in favour of the ratification, domestication and implementation of the African Disability Protocol (ADP) in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. 1.0 Introduction Leonard Cheshire Disability Zimbabwe (LCDZ) intends to engage a qualified and experienced consultant to conduct a mid-term evaluation for the action/project – Strengthening the Civil Society Regional Partnerships in favour of the ratification, domestication and implementation of the African Disability Protocol (ADP) in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. LCDZ is leading the implementation of the project with co-funding from European Union (EU) delegation to Zambia and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). The co-implementing partners are, Development Aid from People to People (DAPP) Malawi; DAPP Zambia; DAPP Zimbabwe; Cheshire Homes Society Zambia (CHSZ); and Human Rights of Women and Girls with Disabilities in Malawi (WAG). Leonard Cheshire Disability Zimbabwe (LCDZ) is a non-profit making disability service organisation registered as a Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO 36/80). The organisation envisions a society in which every person with a disability can enjoy their rights and can fulfil their potential. Its mission is to enable persons with disabilities to improve their quality of life and to campaign for the removal of the barriers which hinder them. 2.0 Overall Objective of the Action The overall objective of the action/project is to contribute towards enjoyment of human rights and other fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. 2.1 Specific Objectives of the Action a. To contribute to expediting the ratification, domestication and implementation of the African Disability Protocol (ADP) and associated instruments by the governments of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. b. To strengthen Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and Civil Society Strengthening (CSOs) internal governance, transparency and organisational support functions to execute their mandates in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. c. To improve participation of OPDs and Community Based Organisations (CBOs) to elevate disability inclusion issues in the development processes and implementation of rights of all Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. 3.0 Background to the Action The African Disability Protocol (ADP) is the African human rights treaty adopted by the African Union in 2018. It is a legal framework that stands as the premier Pan-African human rights treaty crafted to tackle the diverse forms of discrimination impacting persons with disabilities on the continent, encompassing harmful practices, beliefs, and superstitions. It ensures that no one is left behind. Although the governments of Zimbabwe and Malawi ratified the ADP, the government of Zambia has not. None of the countries have domesticated and implemented the protocol. Therefore, the lack of ratification of the ADP in Zambia and the lack of its domestication and implementation in the target countries has had negative impact on persons with disabilities. In Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, there are challenges associated with the state, civil society, and the public that are hampering the expedition of ratification, domestication, and implementation of the ADP. Lack of political will is one of the major setbacks in the ratification (in Zambia), domestication, and implementation of ADP in 3 target countries. There is also a significant gap both in the public awareness of the ADP and an appreciation of its value. This gap was confirmed in the 2020 survey on “Domestication and Implementation of African Union Treaties” which found that in 50% of cases, there is a lack of political will and demonstrates ignorance of treaty benefits, especially the ADP. These inadvertently result in weak public ownership and a slow pace of domestication and implementation of the protocol. To change this course, the role of persons with disabilities and OPDs in promoting and advocating for ratification, domestication and implementation of the ADP is imperative. There is a lack of established and functional platforms to sensitize persons with disabilities and their families, OPDs, CSOs, and academia on the role and mechanism of the ADP; as a result, there is inadequate public awareness of the ADP. Although in some cases awareness of disability inclusion platforms has been taking place, there are no functional platforms for raising awareness about ADP among persons with disabilities, OPDs and CSOs. Policies supporting the participation of persons with disabilities and their families and OPDs in all matters that affect them are in place, but evidence suggests that enforcement across the three target countries is limited, and the initiatives of various OPDs and CSOs towards engaging their respective governments to push for domestication and implementation of ADP are not harmonized (UNICEF, 2023). 4.0 Context of the Action The regional action is being implemented in three Southern African countries: Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The action is implemented by a Consortium of 6 partners, 2 partners in each target country. Leonard Cheshire Disability Zimbabwe (LCDZ) is the lead organisation overseeing the implementation of the action in all the 3 countries. Consortium membership and action location in each county is as follows: Country: Zimbabwe Organisation: LCDZ * Province: Masvingo * District: Masvingo and Chiredzi * Province: Midlands * District: Kwekwe and Shurugwi * Province: Matebeleland South * District: Insiza and Beitbridge Organisation: DAPP-Zimbabwe * Province: Mashonaland Central * District: Bindura and Shamva * Province: Mashonaland East * District: Mudzi and Murehwa Country: Zambia Organisation: DAPP-Zambia * Province: Copperbelt * District: Kitwe and Ndola * Province: Lusaka * District: Lusaka Organisation: Cheshire Homes-Zambia - Province: Eastern Province * District: Chipata, Katete and Petauke Country: Malawi Organisation: DAPP-Malawi - Province: Central Region * District: Lilongwe and Dowa Organisation: WAG