A/HRC/43/27 F. Research and data 66. Awareness-raising is very underresearched and there is little data on the actual effects or outcomes of awareness-raising programmes, particularly in developing countries. Statistical data and quantitative research are crucial in identifying the attitudinal barriers that exist throughout society and in the specific context in which an awareness-raising programme is being developed. In this sense, surveys on equality, discrimination and attitudes, and quantitative research on the media’s portrayal of persons with disabilities, allow identification of the key issues and potential gaps or deficits of the awareness-raising measures. In addition, given the nature of the psychology of discrimination underlying stigmatization and stereotyping, which leads to deeply entrenched attitudinal barriers, context-specific research is needed to develop improved effective awareness-raising programmes, especially training and education programmes. Qualitative research becomes key in identifying the inner processes that result in discriminatory outcomes, which operate at individual and collective levels. 67. In Moldova, the Council for the Prevention and Elimination of Discrimination and Ensuring Equality developed a study on attitudes and perceptions, including those regarding persons with disabilities. Lithuania developed a report, using focus groups, on the portrayal of persons with disabilities in more than 3,000 publications, on the basis of a human rights perspective. 68. Collecting data and undertaking research at regular intervals provide for an effective monitoring tool to measure progress and evaluate changes in discriminatory patterns. The broadcast media, broadcasting regulators, communities, disability-related organizations and organizations of persons with disabilities should be involved in such research to ensure that all the stakeholders concerned can contribute to the outcomes of the research. In Ireland, the National Disability Authority, in partnership with the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, developed, in 2006, a review of literature to evaluate how persons with disabilities were perceived as a follow-up to a similar report in 2001. G. Resource allocation 69. Contributions to the present report indicate that awareness-raising measures are underfunded. States should explore avenues to invest in awareness-raising programmes, including through international cooperation, to ensure that attitude-changing initiatives receive the necessary resources to counter negative attitudes towards and societal perceptions of persons with disabilities. 70. At State level, Governments should ensure that specific funding and budget allocations are provided for the development, implementation and evaluation of awarenessraising measures (i.e. public awareness campaigns, media measures, human rights education, education for sustainable development and training) across all relevant departments, particularly in the areas of education, employment, social protection, health, transportation and access to justice. Notably, States parties should financially support their national human rights institutions and organizations of persons with disabilities to evaluate periodically changes in attitudes towards persons with disabilities, as part of their specific mandate to monitor the implementation of the treaty. 21 71. Australia has devoted 1.5 million Australian dollars to assist women with intellectual disabilities to report abuse, facilitated by digital media, and 3.8 million dollars to help protect vulnerable communities, including persons with disabilities, from online abuse, going beyond the traditional media and taking steps to combat the perpetuation of abuse of persons with disabilities in the realm of digital and social media. 21 14 Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, art. 33 (2) and (3).