By: HarunaKuyateh
National Council for Civic Education (NCCE) in collaboration with the Gambia Federation Of The Disabled (GFD) and with funding from UNICEF Gambia has sensitised stakeholders in North Bank Region on the Person with Disabilities Act 2021.
The theme for the sensitisation was The role of local authorities in ensuring the inclusion of persons with disabilities.
The activity kicked start on the 26th of November and will end by the 7th of December 2022 in all the Seven (7) Administrative Regions of the Gambia.
The synergy was held on Sunday in Farafenni in the North Bank Region.
The activity seeks to raise awareness of important stakeholders such as regional and traditional authorities, security services, persons with disabilities, youth, children, and women groups on the content and principles of the Person with Disability Act and to advocate for the inclusion of persons with disabilities. This is particularly women and children in all spheres of life by putting in place proper mechanisms to foster the implementation of this new law.
Yusupha Bojang, the Program Manager at the National Council for Civic Education NCCE reiterated the importance of the popularisation of the disability Act and ensuring institutions, organisations, and communities provide needed support for disabled society.
He noted that the Act strongly advocates total protection and rights of persons with disabilities.
“There is a need for people to construct proper structures that are easily accessible for disabled persons,” he said and noted that the active involvement of local authorities and critical stakeholders aimed to remind them of their responsibility in promoting and protecting the marginalised.
He expressed concern about institutions to cater for sign language interpreters at health facilities, schools, and Police stations to enable disabilities to get rights services and promote human rights.
BakaryJammeh, the Acting Chief of Upper Badibou thanked National Council for Civic Education, the Gambia Federation Of Disabled, and UNICEF for the popularisation of the disability Act. He assured them of the district authority’s fullest support to the implementation of the Act and call for all hands to be on deck.
For his part, Lamin Fatty Executive Director of the Gambia Federation Of Disabled said the outreach program is fundamental in promoting and protecting the fundamental human rights of disabled people in society.
He said the national legal instruments will guide and protect the welfare of all-inclusive participation.
Omar Trawally representative of the Office of the chairman of Kerewan Area Council described the engagement as important in strengthening good governance and respect for human rights. He noted that the Act will enhance all-inclusive participation in development and promote the rights of people with disabilities.
Trawally assured of council commitment in working with disabled persons, citing disabled are been represented at the council level.
