‘‘Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future’’.

My name is Mary Nyabuay I work for Girls’ Education South Sudan (GESS). I joined GESS this year (2024) as a Disability Inclusion Coordinator.

In my own capacity as a Disability Inclusion Coordinator, and also as a person with a disability, I would like to join the world to celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

I am glad to be part of a programme that is disability sensitive and inclusive. I read a lot about GESS while I was in Kenya working as a teacher and a mentor to schoolchildren, and hoped to be part of the team that is changing lives of learners, especi

ally learners with disabilities across South Sudan. And, here I am today, part of the programme that embraces diversity and inclusion of persons with disabilities. I’m happy to be here!

One thing everyone needs to know, is that we (persons with disabilities) feel neglected and unwanted right from the time we are supposed to join school, this is due to the negative societal beliefs towards us. However, denying us education is wrong! It means you deny our rights to know our rights!

On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I call upon the government of South Sudan and all relevant stakeholders in different sectors to do the right thing. Doing the right thing means including persons with disabilities in decision-making tables/forums, and ensuring that facilities, including schools and hospitals are accessible to persons with disabilities. Nobody has the right to discriminate against and exclude us. Line ministries of the government should work to ensure inclusion of persons with disabilities and support them to leadership positions.

Today, I acknowledge the contribution of the Organization of People with Disabilities (OPDs) under the leadership of the South Sudan Union of Persons with Disabilities (SSUPD) for their advocacy towards disability inclusion in South Sudan, including their work that led to the signing of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by His Excellency, Salva Kirr Mayardit, the President of the Republic South Sudan in 2023. I recognize and appreciate the tireless efforts exhibited by these organization to ensure we are not left behind. This is where the principle of ‘’nothing for us without us’’ lies.

As we celebrate this day today, I urge all institutions to ensure fair recruitment of persons with disabilities to decision-making positions. The theme today states that the only way to amplifying leadership of people with disabilities is to support them gain resources and provide enabling spaces to practice their leadership abilities.

Removing every barrier that hinders the full participation of persons with disabilities is paramount!

Happy International of Persons with Disabilities to everyone – by Mary Nyabuay Majok

Categorised in: Disability Inclusion, GESS Events, Human Interest Story