Amplifying Leadership for an Inclusive Future: Mongolia’s Journey Toward Empowering Persons with Disabilities

This year’s International Day of People with Disabilities (PwD) highlights the theme: “Amplifying leadership of people with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future” which resonates with UN Mongolia’s ongoing initiatives for creating an inclusive society for over 110,000 people with disabilities, including 12,000 children in Mongolia.

Building a More Inclusive Society for Persons with Disabilities

Mongolia has taken significant strides in advancing the rights of PwD over the decades, adopting the landmark Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2016. Since then, Mongolia’s government and society demonstrated a strong commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunities. 

The 2023 Report by the UN Committee on the Rights of PwD further commended Mongolia’s comprehensive approach to ensuring the rights, participation, and development of persons with disabilities through key initiatives, such as the establishment of national councils and programs, amendments to labour laws, and targeted support mechanisms. 

However, challenges remain, as highlighted in the abovementioned Report. PWDs face various barriers in their day-to-day lives, leading to unjustifiable dependency and isolation from society. 

“Their rights, talents, and contributions are vital to every society. Yet many remain excluded from education, employment, and public life,” said Mr. Tapan Mishra, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Mongolia. “The United Nations in Mongolia is committed to supporting and working alongside persons with disabilities to build a more inclusive society”.

Tackling Barriers in Employment

While the country’s Labour Code includes provisions for reasonable accommodation, its inconsistent application across sectors limits workplace inclusivity. The Committee urges Mongolia to strengthen the implementation of the Labour Code and adopt effective measures to ensure access to inclusive employment and work environments for all persons with disabilities.

One of the significant barriers to employment for people with disabilities is a lack of vocational education and training, which stems from learning environments and curricula that fail to be inclusive. 

UN Mongolia prioritizes equal opportunities for PцDs, with UNDP leading efforts to support their meaningful contributions and participation in society.

Thus, within the UNDP’s “SDG-Aligned Budgeting to Transform Employment in Mongolia” project funded by the European Union, inclusive training curricula were developed in three occupations: Archivists and Office Assistants, E-service Staff and Support Service Workers in collaboration with the National Rehabilitation and Vocational Training Center. In this program, 27 students had successfully enrolled. 

One of many inspiring stories is that of Mr. Davaadorj Uul, who, with support from UNDP, transitioned from unemployment to becoming a loan specialist at one of Mongolia’s leading banks, Khan Bank. After sustaining a life-altering injury that ended his previous career, U.Davaadorj completed vocational training as an Archivist and Office Assistant.  

He now thrives in his role while pursuing his passion for wheelchair fencing, where he recently won third place in a national championship. Davaadorj’s story highlights the importance of inclusive employment initiatives, demonstrating how PWDs can thrive when given the opportunity to work in supportive environments.

According to the Labor Law, businesses with 25 or more employees are required to ensure that at least 4 percent of their workforce consists of PWDs. However, compliance with this requirement is often lacking, particularly in rural areas where employment opportunities and accessibility remain limited.

‘I’m living my best life, and I do believe in myself to make a bright future for PWDs’ Davaadorj said with a bright smile on his face. 

Monitoring of Housing Rights for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs): Progress Toward Inclusion

As highlighted in the 2023 Report by the UN Committee on PwDs, access to adequate housing remains another critical issue for PWDs in Mongolia as the persons with disabilities with disability allowances and pensions fall short of covering the rising cost of living and meeting basic needs. 

To address these issues, the UN Committee recommends revising disability benefits to reflect inflation and living standards and establishing well-funded housing initiatives in consultation with persons with disabilities and their organizations.

A key issue is the lack of accessible apartments and houses tailored to their needs. In Mongolia, many PwDs live in ger areas—traditional Mongolian settlements in the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar —that are not connected to essential services such as central heating, water supply, and sewage systems, exacerbating their challenges.

The UN Resident Coordinator advocated for the housing rights of Mongolia’s people with disabilities. He invited their representatives to the table to discuss and elaborate a plan to address the issues. 

Thus, the Universal Progress NGO, chaired by Mr. Avirmed, who is struggling with mobility barriers, conducted a comprehensive monitoring of housing rights for PWDs in 2022, receiving support from the UN Resident Coordinator Office. The initiative assessed the extent of housing discrimination and identified gaps in infrastructure that prevented PwDs from enjoying equal access to basic amenities.

Findings revealed that PWDs are 10-20% less likely than others to access basic amenities. “Nothing about us without us,” said Mr. Avirmed, highlighting the importance of inclusivity. By leading this critical monitoring effort, he successfully drew the Government's attention to the housing challenges faced by PWDs.

The Government of Mongolia has introduced a National Program to address these challenges, increasing the housing quota for PWDs in rental projects from 5% to 15%. While progress is still unfolding, this initiative represents a critical step toward inclusive housing policies.