By Moses Nyirenda
Lilongwe, December 1, Mana: Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Patricia Kaliati has said government through her Ministry was committed to protecting persons with disabilities in order for them to enjoy their human rights.
The Minister made the remarks on Wednesday during a Media briefing which was organized by her Ministry and Federation of Disability Organizations in Malawi (FEDOMA).
The Press Briefing was conducted prior to the commemoration of 2021 International Day of Persons with Disabilities which would be held on December 3, 2021 at Magomero Primary School Ground in Mangochi.
Kaliati said that persons with disabilities in the country face a lot of challenges including stigma and discrimination hence the government was devoted to protecting them and making sure that their challenges are being addressed.
“Persons with disabilities are entitled to be respected as well as participate in each and every program. However they face various challenges including discrimination and stigma just because of the way they are.
“With this reason, government through my ministry is dedicated to ensure that persons with disabilities are not being discriminated in one way or the other. We want to make sure that persons with disabilities are participating in developmental activities,” Kaliati said.
She added that government through her Ministry would increase awareness in order for the public to understand that persons with disabilities have got a role to play in national development.
“People underrate persons with disabilities thinking that they are not educated and they cannot do something in a community.
“Looking at this issue my ministry will intensify awareness campaigns aiming at sensitizing the public to understand that we have a lot of persons with disabilities who are very educated and can play a key role in building societies.
“In the same way, we want to motivate parents who have children with disabilities to take good care of them and stop the practice of rocking them indoors, ”Kaliati said.
FEDOMA Representative for Lilongwe, Charles Banda hailed government for showing interest in protecting persons with disabilities.
“We are working hand in hand with government to address issues such as stigma and discrimination which affect persons with disabilities in the country,” he said.
