As South Africa joins the world in commemorating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), government has called on citizens to continue treating people with disabilities with respect and give them equal recognition, even beyond today.
“The South African Constitution states that every person is equal before the law. Let us, therefore, remove social barriers and perceptions to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities,” said Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Minister, Sindisiwe Chikunga.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities is observed annually on 3 December, with the aim to promote the rights and well-being of people with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situation of people with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.
This year’s IDPD is observed under the theme: “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future”.
The day takes place against the backdrop of pivotal global developments from the Summit of the Future, to the upcoming Second World Summit for Social Development.
The key global summits will complement one another in providing a continuous roadmap toward disability-inclusive, and sustainable peace and development.
From 3 November to 3 Decembers, South Africa celebrates Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM) annually. The 2024 DRAM campaign reaffirmed the universality, interdependence and fundamental human rights of people with disabilities that guarantee full enjoyment without discrimination.
To mark the importance of disability inclusion in ending the 2024 Disability Rights Awareness Month Campaign, Chikunga and the Western Cape Social Development Department hosted a stakeholder engagement session in Cape Town on Tuesday.
The ministerial stakeholder engagement session, held in collaboration with the Parliamentary Public Education Office, provided an opportunity for strategic engagement among people with disabilities to engage on meaningful issues affecting disabled communities, and also to showcase government’s commitment towards disability rights and inclusion.
The Minister also led a Parliamentary debate to end Disability Rights Awareness Month.
READ | Chikunga launches Disability Rights Awareness Month
– SAnews.gov.za
