Lesotho, like other United Nations (UN) members states, commemorated the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) under the theme ‘Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID 19 world’.
The event which was held in Butha-Buthe was officiated by the Prime Minister, Dr Moeketsi Majoro who said people living with disabilities have the same rights as everyone else.
Dr Majoro said the Ministry of Social Development has aligned with this year’s theme to ensure that people with disabilities play a role in the growth of the county’s economy as the government has introduced an income-generating plan which will help them (persons with disabilities) to be economically independent and can also contribute towards the country’s economic growth.
He mentioned that to show that the government of Lesotho has already aligned its self to this year’s theme, the office of the Prime Minister has a person with a disability who participate in the development of the country.
Also speaking, the UNDP Resident Coordinator and Residents Representative, Ms. Betty Wabunoha said UN stands in solidarity with the Kingdom of Lesotho and people living with disabilities as the impact of COVID-19 has been felt by everyone, saying even before the outbreak of the pandemic, people living with disabilities were subject to marginalisation and more likely to live in poverty and experience higher rates of violence, neglect and abuse.
Ms. Wabunoha said the pandemic has already complicated the situation with millions of people losing their jobs and livelihoods, noting that indeed many people living with disabilities have specific underlined conditions that make the disease more dangerous for them.
She noted that the increased level of stigmatisation during the outbreak of the pandemic has had a devastating impact on mental health and access to health care for people living with disabilities.
She remarked that since 2008 when Lesotho rectified the UN convention on the rights of people living with disabilities, the government and the organisation of people living with disabilities have collaborated each year to commemorate this day.
She stated that the strong partnership between the government of Lesotho and the organization of people living with disabilities have found Lesotho’s commitment to agenda 2030 and the sustainable development goals, noting that this commitment directly contributes to raising awareness of the circumstances that surround a person living with disability for inclusion and accessible national policies and programmes also recognising the contribution of all people including those with disabilities.
Moreover, Ms. Wabunoha said this year’s theme highlights the importance of people living with disabilities in the COVID-19 response, recovery and resilience-building policies and practices hence when the country recovers from the pandemic people with disabilities must be able to make a significant contribution towards eco-basis in national efforts to build for better.
She stressed that when leaving some behind, the country might not be able to move forward.
Also speaking, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Deputy Representative, Mr.  Kimanzi Muthengi congratulated the government of Lesotho for the amendment of the Disability Equity Act, saying this will enable people living with disabilities to contribute to the development of the country.
He said UNICEF is happy to collaborate with the government of Lesotho in building a society where children with disabilities reach their full potential, grow up healthy, educated protected from harm, their voices heard and engage in their communities.
The UNICEF representative said this is central to their mission to realise the right of every child and policy of leaving no one behind, saying on this day, they celebrate the contributions and potentials of children with disabilities
He said all aspects of children living with disabilities need to be addressed thus include education should be made accessible to children with disabilities which includes equipping teachers with learning materials and an inclusive curriculum.
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.
The annual observance of the International Day of Persons With Disabilities was proclaimed in 1992 by United Nations General Assembly resolution 43/3, the annual observance aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development and also to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.
As part of the celebration, the Prime Minister donated wheelchairs, white cane sticks, reciprocal swing walkers and clothes to people living with disabilities.
By Staff Reporter: Noliwe Velaphe