Government Launches Disability Awareness Month with Call to Action by Stakeholders
The activities marking the climax of events will be held on December 8th, 2023, in Mulanje District.
Lilongwe, Malawi - Minister of Gender, Community Development, and Social Welfare, Jean Sendeza, inaugurated the 2023 Disability Awareness month at Capital Hill in Lilongwe on Saturday, writes Judgement Katika.
In her address, the minister highlighted the persistent discrimination faced by people with disabilities within society, calling on all stakeholders to unite and take action in providing much-needed support to individuals living with various disabilities.
"As we all know, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a global vision that countries agreed upon in 2015 to live in peace and prosper together as one planet," said the minister.
"But we can only achieve this vision of a better future if everyone, including persons with disabilities, fulfills their participatory role. In this case, disability inclusion becomes an essential condition for upholding human rights, peace, security, and, above all, sustainable development."
She further explained that despite strong global commitments, persons with disabilities continue to face negative attitudes, including stigma, discrimination, and a lack of accessibility to essential infrastructure, such as the physical environment.
“Therefore, it is our shared duty during this month to address these prejudices and implement strategies and approaches that will promote the respect and participation of persons with disabilities,” she said.
The minister also emphasized that the bill for persons with disabilities will be tabled in the upcoming session of parliament in November. In a few days, a cabinet meeting will be held, which will address the issue of the bill for persons with disabilities, among other agendas.
Charles Banda, a board member at the Federation of Disability Organizations in Malawi (FEDOMA), applauded the government's efforts. He acknowledged the progress made in the inclusion of persons with disabilities, pointing to the recent appointment of the 8th cohort of commissioners of the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC).
"As we acknowledge the diversity of representation, in particular, there is a representation of persons with disabilities. This is a true reflection that persons with disabilities have the capacity to hold strategic positions in public institutions, just like any other individual," he stated.
Banda also urged the government and other non-state actors to act vigorously to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities and work to break down barriers that hinder these individuals from achieving their full potential.
This year's theme for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), which is observed on December 3rd, is "United in action to rescue and achieve SDGs for, with, and by persons with disabilities."
The activities marking the climax of events will be held on December 8th, 2023, in Mulanje District.