Landmark event for Persons With Disabilities in South Sudan

Yesterday was the launch event for the Union of Persons with Disabilities.

This new Union will act as the umbrella body for all disability-related organisations, as well as advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities in South Sudan.

HE. Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior launched the event with the promise “to support the Union of Persons with Disabilities… whether as a vice president or as the wife of late Dr. John Garang. It is our moral responsibility to take care of those who are vulnerable amongst us”.

HE. Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior addresses the crowd

She said, “Disability is not inability. Nobody should look down on any person with a disability.” She directly addressed persons with disabilities, saying, “don’t feel shy or few to come out because you are created in God’s image.”

She also mentioned support that the government will provide to persons with disabilities, including mobility items like wheel chairs, grinding mills as an income generating activity, capacity building and setting up recreational centres.

The Honourable Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Welfare, Esther Ikere said, “As the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Welfare, we still have a lot to do in relation to persons with disabilities as being a segment of the society. It is the  mandate of the Ministry to take up issues affecting persons with disabilities”.

The Honourable Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Welfare, Esther Ikere, next to the Vice President, addresses the crowd

She continued, “There are many children with disabilities who are not in schools. They are within the communities and communities do not know that these children have rights. This is something that should be advocated for by the Ministry at national level, state level and by all other partners working with persons with disabilities”.

This landmark event was is a great first step towards equal opportunity and rights for persons with disabilities in South Sudan.

To read more about disability inclusion in the GESS programme, go here.

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