Leaving No One Behind in Indonesia: Protecting the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Disadvantaged and Remote Areas

As part of Leave No One Behind (LNOB) initiatives and building on the LNOB in Indonesia - A data-driven study 2022, UN Indonesia published an analysis providing insights into the development of resilience systems that could positively impact the lives of people with disabilities residing in underprivileged areas. This group was identified in the previous study as one of the most marginalized in the country. The objective was to acquire a nuanced understanding that could contribute to the advancement of the status of these marginalized communities.

The initial phase of the study involved a strategic review, which encompassed document analysis and in-depth interviews. Besides a review of the national policy landscape, fieldwork conducted by UN community volunteers in West Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and Jayawijaya, Highland Papua. The volunteers immersed themselves in the local context, facilitating the collection of firsthand data.

The study findings highlight the specific challenges faced by persons with disabilities and elaborates on strategic insights for driving inclusive development. It also offers an operational guide for leaving no one behind, via a rights-based approach, developing context-specific solutions, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, as the lynchpins to address systemic barriers and ensure full inclusivity.