Government can only effectively respond to the concerns of the disability sector through collaboration and partnership
Minister in the Presidency: 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 launched Disability Rights Awareness Month on Sunday, 03 November 2019, in Pretoria, Gauteng.
Minister of Social Development, Ms Lindiwe Zulu and Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration, Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga also joined the launch to pledge government’s support in responding to the priorities outlined by the sector and to commit to doing more throughout the year as part of a 365-day campaign on disability rights awareness.
Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM) runs from 03 November to 03 December 2019. The month-long campaign 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 theme for the month: Together Building South Africa Inclusive of Disability Rights responds to President Ramaphosa’s call to work together to grow South Africa. The theme for DRAM extends this mission to include persons with disabilities in achieving that goal, for a South Africa where everyone is included.
Minister Nkoana-Mashabane in her keynote address stated, “The clarion call for the sector is “nothing about us without us” and we take that very seriously as government.”
On 02 November, Deputy Minister Professor Hlengiwe Mkhize spent the day in conversation with leaders in the disability sector, to unpack the barriers that persons with disabilities experience on a daily basis, and to engage on solutions that will deliver faster results over the next five years. Contributions made on the day allowed the department to identify opportunities to engage with other departments in establishing responses.
Mr Sifiso Mkhasibe, NEC member of the South African Mental Health Advocacy Group (SAMHAM) and a member of the Presidential Working Group on Disability spoke on behalf of the disability sector. Addressing government, he said: “We appeal to you to champion our call to address urgent matters throughout the healthcare process, from diagnosis, referrals, managed care and treatment, which are characterised by huge delays, poor and inadequate infrastructure, lack of the expertise and human resource in hospitals, horrendous backlogs for our assistive devices and long waiting periods in overcrowded facilities, especially in rural areas.”
As the country moves towards 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, Minister Nkoana-Mashabane added: “We believe that there is a higher incidence rate of abuse perpetrated against persons with disabilities. During the 16 Days of Activism Campaign we also call on the disability sector to elevate their voices to raise attention to the particular contexts and abuses taking place against persons with disabilities.”
Deputy Minister Professor Mkhize emphasised the need to ensure that responses to the daily struggle of persons with disabilities find expression down at district level through President Ramaphosa’s Khawuleza District Coordination Model. She expressed appreciation for the disability sector’s commitment to play its part in mobilising local communities, in particular in rural communities.
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. Against this backdrop, Disability Rights Awareness Month is an apex campaign of the department, particularly in light of this function being moved back to The Presidency.
The month long campaign carries weekly sub-themes which are reflected in the Medium Term Strategic Framework (2019-2024) of government. The following sub-themes are intended to focus conversations on priority areas identified by the disability sector, which also link to the seven priorities of government:
- Week 1: Children and young people with disabilities empowered to chart their own destiny through access to quality lifelong learning
- Week 2: A built environment accessible to all persons with disabilities
- Week 3: Persons with disabilities as equal players in building inclusive economies
- Week 4: Children and women with disabilities – feeling and being safe as equal citizens in their communities
Government aims to pay particular attention to the economic liberation of persons with disabilities through expanded access to and participation in public procurement, decent work, business ownership and enterprise development and access to land. Another key area is improved access to universal education, life skills, skills development and training remains a priority for the next five years. “This will be supported by targeted measures to ensure early development screening of all children for developmental delays and disability, with concurrent individualized early intervention services for children with disabilities,” said Minister Nkoana-Mashabane.
Deputy Minister Mkhize called on all sectors of society to act in solidarity with persons with disabilities, to speak up when they witness human rights violation and marginalisation, and to embrace families with disabled members.
Society is encouraged to be part of the conversation online by using the hashtag #DisabilityInclusiveSA.
For further resources and information on Disability Rights Awareness Month visit: www.women.gov.za – Click on MEDIA ROOM – DRAM 2019
For interviews contact Ms Mmabatho Ramompi on 076 480 3513 / mmabatho.ramompi@women.gov.za or Ms Kea Motlokwa on 066 077 7347 / Keabetswe.Motlokwa@women.gov.za
Media enquiries and RSVP may be forwarded to:
Shalen Gajadhar
Cell: 060 979 4235
E-mail: shalen.gajadhar@women.gov.za
