The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) has been observed yearly since 1992 around the world on the 3rd of December. It aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.
This year’s IDPD is “Empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring inclusiveness and equality”. The theme focuses on empowering persons with disabilities for an inclusive, equitable and sustainable development as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The 2030 Agenda pledges to “leave no one behind”.
Persons with disabilities, as both beneficiaries and agents of change, can fast track the process towards inclusive and sustainable development and promote resilient society for all, including in the context of disaster risk reduction and humanitarian action, and urban development.
There is a lot of stigma attached to disability in Zimbabwe as society fails to interact with persons living with disability. It is also widely believed that persons living with disabilities are unable to live full lives. This could not be further from the truth.
As a society, we have to make sure persons with disabilities are fully integrated and are afforded opportunities like everyone else. Are you playing your part?