South Africa aligns itself with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) 2021 theme
Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane pledges alignment with the theme for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. South Africa observes Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM) from 3 November to 3 December every year, culminating in the observance of the International Day on 3 December 2021.
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is observed annually on 3 December, to promote the full and equal participation of persons with disabilities and to take action for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society and development.
The theme for this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities is: Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world.
The UN states that: Today, the world population is over 7 billion people and more than one billion people, or approximately 15 per cent of the world’s population, live with some form of disability; 80 per cent live in developing countries.
“As the department we wish to pledge alignment with the international theme. In South Africa, we observed DRAM 2021 under the theme: The Year of Charlotte Mannya Maxeke – Create and Realise an Inclusive Society Upholding Rights of Persons with Disabilities,” said Minister Nkoana-Mashabane.
National and Provincial departments have scheduled programmes to celebrate and mark the International day of Persons with Disabilities in line with the Disabilities Rights Awareness Month Calendar.
In October, the Minister released the report titled: COVID-19 and Rights of Persons with Disabilities Research Report under the theme: “Protection of persons with disabilities during situations of risks, national disasters and humanitarian emergencies”. The report looks at the impact of COVID-19 on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in South Africa.
The research study highlights experiences of persons with disabilities in relation to the following thematic areas: access to information, education, health, social services, safety and security, economic opportunities (employment and economic relief measures), transport, consultation and participation, quarantine and isolation sites.
The Research report was commissioned by the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with disabilities in partnership with the United Nations Regional Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights ( OHCHR) to collect and collate data on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the persons with disabilities in South Africa. The report can be accessed at: https://tinyurl.com/bjwanffz
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities marks the end of the Disability Rights Awareness Month 2020 (DRAM 2021) and is the apex of the month-long campaign. The Presidential Working Group on Disabilities will meet with His Excellency, President Cyril Ramaphosa to engage on priorities within the disability sector that require immediate attention. The meeting will be attended by the Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Maite-Nkoana Mashabane. The objective of the meeting is to deliberate on empowerment programmes and projects envisaged to empower the disability sector. The date for the meeting will be confirmed in due course.
Minister Nkoana-Mashabane wishes to remind South Africans that the rights of persons with disabilities remains a priority for government. “It takes each and every one of us to remember that persons with disabilities are not to be side-lined in any area. We must adjust our attitudes and perceptions towards disabilities and understand that many people face mental health challenges daily. We must be more understanding towards each other to ensure a more caring society,” she said.
Enquiries: Mr Shalen Gajadhar (Director: Communications, Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities) 060 979 4235
For media engagements with Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane contact Ms Xolelwa Siya Dwesini on Xolelwa.Dwesini@women.gov.za
