By Samsideen Ceesay
The Directorate of Social Welfare under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, in col- laboration with UNFPA The Gambia and UNICEF and with support from The United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabili- ties (UNPRPD) recently validated the Integrated National Disability Policy (2022-2031) and strategic plan held at a local hotel in Kotu.
The objective of the Disability Policy is to enhance full care and supportive services to all Persons With Disabilities (PWD) in an inclusive setting.
The officials say the policy will primar- ily focus on the prevention, rehabilitation and inclusion of all Persons With Dis- abilities; that it will also build on other existing policies that have bearings on disability including access to education, health, employment and social protection. These services where possible will be strengthened and supported to continue serving the intended beneficiaries.
Speaking at the event, Mr.Jankoba Jabbi, Director of Social Welfare at the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare (MoGCSW) said the policy will enable the Ministry, Department of Social Welfare and other relevant stakeholders set targets and indicators to assess, monitor and evaluate the impact of the services in improving the lives of PWDs, thus reducing the high level of poverty and unemployment amongst the groups through the decentralised structures in all regions.
“The development and implementation of this disability policy are intended to guide and work towards the creation of an enabling environment for the reduction of poverty and the promotion of social integration for PWDs in a holistic approach where everyone’s needs will become a base for national planning and funding”, Director Jabbi affirmed.
He pointed out that the policy provides vital tools for creating a just and equitable society, giving full effect to departmental and constitutional values. “The effective implementation of this policy, therefore relies on joint planning, effective and efficient inter-sectoral and inter-departmental collaboration, through the institutions of government and the commitment and allocation of resources to address the identified needs”.
He concluded by emphasizing that the National Disability Policy promotes equal opportunities to enhance participation and protection of the rights of PWDs irrespective of geographical location, ethnicity, gender, age and type of disability.
