The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that some 17.6% of the Ethiopians live with some form of disability, suggesting that the government’s estimates derived from Ministry surveys and the national census 1.17% – 7.6% have grossly underestimated its prevalence. Based on the demographic profile of the nation, a large percentage of these people live in rural settings.
Ethiopia has ratified a number of international instruments and treaties in addition to the UN Conventions, and the Constitution has made all international treaties ratified by the country ‘an integral part of the law of the land’. The treaties themselves oblige the State to take legal, institutional and practical measures. In 2012, as part of its commitment to adopt these international conventions, Ethiopia has introduced the National Plan of Action of Persons with Disabilities. The comprehensive plan aims at mitigating the challenges and barriers faced by people with disabilities in every aspect of their lives.
It is to be recalled that Ethiopia has been applying a number of policies between 1994 and 2018. These polices have played significant role to persons with disability in addressing their needs for education, training, employment and building accessibility to improve the participation of Ethiopians with disabilities and ensure their basic and civil rights.
In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald Habtamu Mengesha Amharic language teacher for the visually impaired at Menelik Secondary School said that nation’s proclamations and other directives as well as the Constitution boldly framed to enshrine the right of persons with disability but when we come to implementation there are a number of challenges and gaps that should be bridged and laid the ground.
He appreciates the Menelik Secondary School’s commitment to hire an assistant reader to help him in his work and expressed gratitude for the school’s service. Yet he says that teachers with visual impairment and any form of disability at other schools are not getting this kind of privilege due to lack of similar commitment among the leadership there.
“I call on public and private institutions to take actions on translating the conventions and the proclamation to the grass root and benefit people with disability in any form.”
Most of the rights and opportunities provided to people with disabilities in Ethiopia vary in relation to several demographic factors. Most of the activities focus on addressing the urban part of Ethiopia.
“Associations operating in the name of persons with disability are confined in urban as well as they are not discharging duties and responsibilities in defending the right and ensuring the benefit of persons with disabilities,” he underlined.
According to him, stakeholders should buckle up efforts to reach out to provide services to persons with disabilities in education and health as well as providing sufficient access to critical resources, like white cane, wheel chairs and other supportive tools.
He further noted, celebrating the 32nd International Day of Persons with Disabilities (PDWs) in the respective States and the Federal level, under the theme “United in action to rescue and achieve the SDGs for, with and by persons with disabilities, is important because it creates opportunity to promoting 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.
It is high time to walk the talk taking profound actions that could undo the challenges of persons with disabilities and bring about meaningful impact on the life of the PDWs.
Because of infrastructural and social services inaccessibility are creating barriers for persons with disability in a daily base associations of persons with disability should further strengthening advocacy.
He finally, noted that children in the hinterlands of Ethiopia children with any form disability are deprived the provision of education and health care services. In these parts of areas disability is also considered a taboo because of the stereotypes towards persons with disability often deriving from superstitious interpretations, frequently resulting in stigma and avoidance.
Last week Ministry of Women and Social Affairs staged an event to celebrated International Day of Persons with Disabilities along with development partners. Speaking on the occasion State Minister for Women and Social Affairs Huria Ali said that the government is working aggressively to ensure the comprehensive inclusion of PWDs.
The State Minister stated this at the event held at the United Nations Office in Ethiopia to raise awareness and Movement Week in relation to the 32nd International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
According to the State Minister, the government apart from preparing various legal frameworks for the people with disabilities is working with various partners to ensure the universal inclusion of this segment of the people.
Mentioning that the inclusion of disabled people can only be ensured when infrastructure and social services are accessible to all types of disabled people, the State Minister said that however most of these people cannot afford to buy equipment and technologies that can alleviate their problems. Owing to this, the support of partners is instrumental. She also urged partners, pertinent bodies, and stakeholders to backing them and lessen their burden.
The coordinator of the United Nations Office in Ethiopia, Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov on his part expressed keenness to work jointly and closely with the government of Ethiopia in relation to the issues of the disabled people and promised to provide the necessary support to overcome the challenges in the area.
Most of the time, People with Disabilities encounter a lot of challenges, stigma and psychological damage due to the misconceptions created by the society merely for the reasons they are disabled. To overcome these problems, the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs has been undertaking various activities and working together with the International organizations. As part of these efforts, the Ministry, joining hands with the international Committee of the Red Cross has entered into actions by preparing psychological and social rehabilitation services guidelines for people with disabilities, it was learnt.
BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 15 DECEMBER 2023
