South Africa observes and commemorates the International and National day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD)
The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities joins the global community in commemorating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on the 3rd of December 2023. International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is observed every year on 3 December as proclaimed in 1992, by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3. In 2015 Cabinet approved 3 Dec as national Day for persons with disabilities.
The 2023 IDPD will be commemorated under the theme “United in action to rescue and achieve the SDGs for, with and by persons with disabilities” The commemoration of the IDPD globally aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities at every level of society and to raise awareness of the situation and conditions of persons with disabilities in all aspects of social, economic, and cultural life.
The organizations of the United Nations are expected to reaffirm the United Nations Disability Inclusion strategy that provides a foundation for sustainable and transformative progress on disability inclusion towards the complete realization of the human rights of all persons with disabilities is an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.
As a member of the United Nations, South Africa ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2007 and the African Union Charter on Human and Peoples Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa in March 2022. In Contributing to the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 7 South Africa has approved a White paper on the rights of persons with Disabilities with an implementation matrix with set clear indicators for implementation by duty bearers.
The indicators also find expression in the National Development Plan 2030 and the Medium-Term Strategic Framework. The 3rd December also marks the end of Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM) which ran from 3 November to 3 December with 3 Dec as the National Day for persons with disabilities.
Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will join the Gauteng Provincial Government and Special Olympics Committee, Organisations of and for persons with disabilities and South Africa to observe and commemorate National Day of persons with disabilities scheduled to take place as follows:
Members of the media are invited as follows:
Date: 3 December 2023 Time: 09h00
Venue: St Benedict College, Bedford ViewAQ -Gauteng
For media-related queries and RSVPs:
Mr Cassius Selala (Director: Communications, Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities)
Cell: 060 534 0672
E-mail: cassius.selala@dwypd.gov.za
For media engagements with Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma contact
Ms Lorraine Shabangu
Cell: 066 080 6226
E-mail: Lorraine.shabangu@dwypd.gov.za
