EAC
Sunday, April 27, 2014
People with disabilities want louder say
ARUSHA, Tanzania - The high-level delegation from the Eastern Africa Federation of the Disabled (EAFOD) met the EAC Secretary General Amb. Dr. Richard Sezibera to talk about representation and other issues concerning them.
The talks centred on their wish to acquire observer status in the EAC, as well as the mainstreaming of disability in the regional structures.
EAFOD is a federation of 14 countries coordinating the development of disabled peoples’ organizations (DPOs) in the Eastern Africa region. It is mandated to develop a unified voice of people with disabilities within the region. Its foundation is based on the understanding that persons with disabilities have to enjoy their Human Rights, have to be included and fully participate in development policies and programmes. For that matter, EAFOD works towards achieving Respect, Dignity and Quality of life for Persons with Disabilities.
The EAFOD Chairperson, Dr. Samuel Kabue, expressed his gratitude for being accorded the time for an interactive session with the EAC. “As a Federation, we are keen on being accorded observer status in the EAC” he said.
He said the Federation looks forward to “work closely with the EAC to include disability issues and concerns and develop common strategies for intervention during its high level meetings within its structures and systems.”
The views of the EAFOD Chairperson were echoed by the Secretary General of Shirikisho la Vyama vya Watu wenye Ulemavu Tanzania (SHIVYAWATA), Felician Mkude who said the challenges faced by Persons living with Disabilities within the region were similar, and therefore appropriate to voice these issues with one voice at the regional level.
According to a press release, Dr. Sezibera welcomed EAFOD’s interest in the EAC and informed the Federation representatives that the EAC People with Disabilities (PwD) Policy was in place however, “There exist challenges in the implementation of this policy,” he said.
He said these issues will be addressed during the upcoming EAC Conference on People with Disability planned for June this year.
In addition, the EAC Secretary General challenged the federation to formulate a strategy to ensure the inclusion of representatives of PWD in all EAC structures, such as EALA, youth and women’s councils among others. “Hon. Dr. James Ndahiro of EALA has been very instrumental in spearheading matters of inclusion in the integration agenda, we wish for more representatives in the EAC structures,” he said.
By Elisha Mayallah, Sunday, April 27th, 2014