25th World Handicap persons Day:

MINAS launches activities in Yaounde

The minister of Social Affairs, Mrs Pauline IréneNguene on Thursday 24 November 2016, made a press outing to officially launch activities for the 25th edition of the International Day for people with disabilities (PWDs), to be celebrated on 6 December 2016, at the Yaounde multi-purpose sports complex

By Rachel Ntube in Yaounde

The MINAS, Mrs Pauline IréneNguene

Making her statement to the battery of journalists drawn from the national and international press, Minister Pauline Irene Nguene said this year’s edition of the ‘JIPH’ will be celebrated on the theme: “Achieving 17 sustainable development goals, for the future we want.”

                She said according to WHO statistics, people with disabilities represent about 15% of the World’s population (about 1 billion people). “These PWDs suffer multiple forms of discrimination and marginalization and often do not benefit adequate education and professional training to enable them get appropriate jobs that can guarantee their livelihood and independence, apart from a full, effective and equal participation in society like others,” noted the Minister, who added that the theme for the 25th edition of the JIPH was well chosen by the UNO because it makes imperative the integration and participation of people with disabilities in society and seeks to enable them to fully enjoy their rights as enshrined in the 17 SDGs notably the right to good education, decent employment, poverty eradication, access to infrastructure, industrialization etc.

                It should be noted that Cameroon fully adheres to the dictates of the SDGs. This is evidenced in president Paul Biya’s declaration at the rostrum of the 71st UNO General Assembly in New York, on 22 September 2016, when he said: “The SDGs are the first international programs to be given consideration as far as development in all its ramifications is concerned: security, economic, social, human and environmental.” Paul Biya continued that: “The unanimous ambition of all governments is to eradicate poverty from all segments of society, without leaving out anyone.”

                It is in line with this that the 25th edition of the JIPH seeks to mobilise the national community towards integrating people with disabilities in the realization of the objectives of the SDGs.

                But Minister Pauline IréneNguene admitted that this cannot be done without challenges, some of which being the institution of inclusive education in favour of PWDs, promotion of socio-economic integration of PWDs, promoting social and political participation and reinforcing the upkeep of these people.

                The weeklong celebrations will witness meetings by public, para-public and private stakeholders, sporting activities, communication with the view to change attitudes and perceptions, and organization of exposition fairs. All these would culminate in the celebration of the JIPH on 6 December 2016 at the explanade of the Yaounde sports complex.

                Expected to participate in the celebration are public administrations, private organisations, international organization, civil society, religions groups, associations of PWDs and the general public.