International Disability Day Observed
Sierra Leone has joined the world in celebrating the International Disability Day at Stadium Hostel in Freetown, December 9th 2017 on the theme “Transformation towards sustainable and resilient society for all”.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chairperson for the occasion, Rev. Osman J. Fornah described the celebration as important because it geared towards promoting the rights and welfare of Persons with disability around the world and in Sierra Leone specifically.
He said the International Day of Persons with disability was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3 in 1992 adding that the resolution aimed at promoting the rights and well-being of Persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development and to increase awareness on the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.
He discussed that the convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities adopted in 2006 protected the rights and well-being of PWD’S in the implementation of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other International Development frameworks such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Charter on inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Hunan right action, the new urban Agenda and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development. He disclosed that the 2030 Agenda pledges to “Leave no one behind” and mentioned that are agents of change. The Man of God stated that Sierra Leone has ratified the convention on the rights of PWD’S Act 2011 and subsequently established the National Commission for Persons with Disability (NCPD) which is mandated to ensure the well-being of persons with disabilities in Sierra Leoneans.
He urged international and local governments, business and all actors in Sierra Leone to intensify to end discrimination and remove the environmental and attitudinal obstacles that prevent Persons with Disability from enjoying their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. He concluded by calling all Sierra Leoneans to take action to break down the barriers that exclude persons with disabilities
By Samuel Thomas Bangura
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