More than 27% of Children (6-17 Years) with Difficulties in Palestine were not Enrolled in Education

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3rd is an international observance promoted by the United Nations since 1992. The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of the political, social, economic and cultural life. The theme for this year is "Empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring inclusiveness and equality".


Increase the percentage  of difficulties in Gaza Strip compared to a slight decrease in the West Bank.
In 2017 data of population, housing and establishments census, showed that 225,228 persons suffered from at least one difficulty which constitute 5.8% of the total population of Palestine; 127,266 in the West Bank constituting 5.1% of the total population of West Bank, and 127,962 in Gaza Strip constituting 6.8% of the total population of Gaza Strip. The data also showed that the prevalence of difficulties among persons increased during the last 10 years, where it was 4.7% in Palestine in 2007 (5.3% in West Bank and 3.7% in Gaza Strip) then increased to 5.8% (5.1% in West Bank and 6.8% in Gaza Strip) in 2017.

On the other hand, there has been an increase in the percentage of persons with difficulties by sex during the last 10 years. The percentage of persons with difficulties in Palestine in 2017 among males was 6.3% and 5.4% among females, while 2007 data indicated that the percentage reached 4.8% among males and 4.6% among females.

Mobility Difficulty is the most Common Difficulty in 2017
2.9% of the total persons in Palestine are with mobility difficulties in 2017. Seeing difficulty is the second most prevalent with 2.6%. Compared to 2007 seeing difficulty was the most prevalent with 2.5% in Palestine followed by mobility difficulty with 1.8% of total population.

Illiteracy among Persons (10 Years and above) with Difficulties Decreased during the last Ten Years
In 2017 data showed that illiteracy among persons (10 years and above) with difficulties decreased by 37% between 2007 and 2017, where it was 33% in 2007 and fell to 21% in 2017. However, the gender gap in illiteracy rates remained high. The data of census 2017 indicated that male illiteracy rates reached 11% compared to 33% among females. Meanwhile, in 2007, the percentage among males was 20% compared to 48% among females in Palestine.

Increases in the Percentage of Children with Difficulties (6-17 Years) who were not Enrolled in Education in the Years 2007and 2017
27% of children (6-17 years) with difficulties in 2017 were not enrolled in education (32% in the West Bank compared to 24% in Gaza Strip). In 2007, the percentage of children with difficulties in the same age group who were not enrolled in education was 24% (22% in the West Bank, and 27% in Gaza Strip).

Increase in Unemployment Rate among Persons with Disabilities in 2017
Data of census 2017 indicated a rise in the unemployment rate among persons with disabilities (a lot of difficulties and can't at all) in Palestine. This rate rose from 24% (15.7% in West Bank and 41.2% in Gaza Strip) among the persons 15 years and above with disabilities in the labor force in 2007 to reach 37% (18.8% in West Bank and 53.7% in Gaza Strip) in 2017.
 


----
Difficulties: Persons with some difficulties, a lot of difficulties and who can't at all. Its include seeing difficulties, hearing, mobility, remembering and concentration, and communication difficulties.