The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities to launch Disability Rights Awareness Month 2020
Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane together with Deputy Minister in the Presidency: Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Professor Hlengiwe Mkhize will launch Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM) on Tuesday, 03 November 2020, in Pretoria, Gauteng.
The theme for the campaign is: Together Building Communities Inclusive of Disability Rights. The theme seeks to address barriers that exist at all levels that prevent persons with disabilities from fully integrating into communities, and contributing to the building of cohesive and socially inclusive spaces.
Members of the media are invited to the DRAM launch event where Minister Nkoana-Mashabane and Deputy Minister Professor Hlengiwe Mkhize will outline the campaign, unpack the weekly themes, and offer insights into successes and challenges that still persist.
The details of the launch are as follows:
Date: Tuesday, 3 November 2020
Time: 10h00-11h30
Venue: GCIS, 1035 Tshedimosetso House, Corner Frances Baard and Festival Streets, Hatfield, Pretoria
Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM) will run from 03 November to 03 December 2020 and aims to raise awareness to the harmful effects stigmatisation, prejudice and stereotypes has on the disability sector. The campaign also aims to celebrate individuals who have overcome prejudice, societal barriers, and hardship to excel in their chosen fields.
The month long campaign carries weekly sub-themes which are intended to focus conversations on priority areas identified by the disability sector.
- Week 1 (03 – 07 Nov): Accelerating inclusive learning environments for persons with disabilities at all levels
- Week 2 (08 - 14 Nov): Rebuilding responsive disaster management strategies that places persons with disabilities at the centre
- Week 3 (15 - 21 Nov): Rebuilding an economy accessible to all persons with disabilities
- Week 4 (22 Nov – 28 Nov): Creating an accessible justice system that seek to address the risk of compounded marginalisation and assisted decision-making legal framework
- Week 5 (29 Nov – 03 Dec): Launch of 365 Disability Rights Awareness Campaign and outlining department’s plans in promoting National Priorities
The Department’s mandate is to lead on socio-economic transformation and participation of women, youth and persons with disabilities through mainstreaming, advocacy, monitoring and evaluation. Women, youth, persons with disabilities, the LQBTQIA+ community, orphans and older persons are considered vulnerable as they tend to be at higher risk of social exclusion and marginalization. These groups often face higher rates of victimisation and abuse.
Know and Share these contact details:
- GBV Command Centre: 0800 428 428 / *120*7867# from any cell phone
- Persons with disabilities, SMS ‘help’ to 31531
- Women Abuse Helpline: 0800 150 150
- Child line: 0800 055 555
- SAPS Crime Stop: 0860 10111
- GBVF-related service complaints (SAPS): 0800 333 177/
- complaintsnodalpoint@saps.gov.za
- National AIDS Helpline: 0800 012 322
- National Human Trafficking Helpline: 0800 222 777
- Suicide Helpline: 0800 567 567
- National Department of Health: https://www.health.gov.za
- National Institute of Communicable Diseases: https://www.nicd.ac.za
- World Health Organisation: https://www.who.int
- Coronavirus Hotline: 0800 029 999
For interviews please contact
Mmabatho Ramompi
Cell: 076 480 3513
E-mail: mmabatho.ramompi@women.gov.za
Enquiries:
Shalen Gajadhar
Cell: 060 979 4235
