Let us go beyond words and act!

Today, I proudly join the world in celebrating the incredible abilities and strengths of persons with disabilities. Having worked alongside these remarkable individuals—and as someone with lived experience of disability—I’ve seen firsthand not only the challenges they face but also their resilience, creativity, and limitless potential. To me this day is more than a celebration; it’s a call to recognize and honour their vital contributions to building a better world.

Aligned with this year’s national theme—’Empowering people with disabilities through inclusive policies and partnership’, I urge us to go beyond words and act. While I appreciate our country’s commitment to signing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, there is still much to do. True inclusion remains a distant goal in our Country. Many persons with disabilities continue to encounter barriers—from inaccessible spaces to limited opportunities for participation. If we truly want a fair and inclusive society, we must move beyond symbolic gestures. Inclusion means action. It means ensuring that accessibility is not a privilege but a right for everyone.

Accessibility is more than ramps in schools or public buildings. It’s about creating environments where learning and participation are possible for all. Imagine classrooms equipped with large-print books for learners with low vision, captions for audio content to support those with hearing impairments, and digital tools that make education inclusive. These are not luxuries—they are necessities for equality.

A world without persons with disabilities is not a developed world. Their voices, ideas, and contributions are essential to progress. Every small step toward inclusion matters—because inclusion is not charity; it’s justice. Together, let’s commit to building a world where everyone belongs and thrives.

Today I also celebrate all institutions across South Sudan that are working towards the inclusion of learners with disabilities. I acknowledge the contribution of the GESS Programme in championing disability inclusion in the country. The GESS Programme has so far achieved these:

• Enrolled 20,000+ learners with disabilities across South Sudan.
• Changed community attitudes toward children with disabilities.
• Distributed assistive devices and linked over 800,000 learners to services.
• Used capitation grants inclusively and provided cash transfers to eligible learners, including boys with disabilities.
• Contributed to the implementation of the Inclusive Education Policy.

Happy International Day of Persons with Disabilities! Let’s make inclusion a reality, not just a conversation.

Categorised in: Disability Inclusion, GESS Events, Girls' Education, Human Interest Story