7 November 2007
The government has declared the period from 3 November 2007 until 3 December
2007 as the Disability Focus Month and as such the North West Provincial
Government will, during the Focus Month, profile work being done in improving
the quality of life of persons with disabilities.
The theme for the month is Renewing our Pledge: Decent work for persons with
disabilities. The last two weeks of the Focus Month will coincide with the
launch of the International 16 Days of Activism for no Violence against Women
and Children. This is a period which will provide an opportunity for all to
evaluate the extent to which government has moved in integrating and
mainstreaming disability across government programmes.
Furthermore, efforts by government will be intensified in educating the
public and make them aware of what government is doing and has achieved in
providing a better life for all, including persons with disabilities. So far,
the following are some of the key challenges government has identified in
addressing issue of disability in its daily functioning:
* that to most, the disability programme is still a peripheral matter
* low levels of public awareness on the work of government in addressing
disability issues
In moving forward, for this Disability Focus Month, the North West
Provincial Government has resolved on, among others:
* the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights and
Dignity of Persons with Disabilities
* adopt the Job Access 2006 to 2010 Strategy so as to recruit and retain
persons with disabilities within the public service
* ensure a detailed Departmental Employment Report for all departments from the
Department of Labour
* intensively review the Integrated National Disability Strategy
Further focus will also be placed on:
* self-employment for persons with disabilities
* transformation of protective and sheltered workshops for persons with
disabilities
* improving government's performance against disability employment equity
targets
A number of activities will be held throughout the province which will all
culminate in a big celebration on 3 December 2007, in Itsoseng, led by Premier
Edna Molewa, which is the International Day for Disabled Persons.
The media is invited to the event, of which further details will be made
known to you at a later stage.
Enquiries:
Cornelius Tanana Monama
Spokesperson: North West Provincial Government
Tel: 018 387 3456
Cell: 082 578 4063
Issued by: Office of the Premier, North West Provincial Government
7 November 2007
