Disability Union calls for offices in all 10 counties of Western Equatoria

The Union of Persons with Disabilities in Western Equatoria State is calling for disability offices or focal points to be established in all ten counties to improve coordination, data collection and access to services.

The call was made during a two-day consultation in Yambio on the rights, participation and inclusion of persons with disabilities.

The union says about 2,410 persons with disabilities have been identified in Yambio County, including 1,010 children and 1,400 adults, although the figures require verification and regular updating.

Union Chairperson Moses Luiz Mangianga said persons with disabilities should be recognized as capable and productive members of society. “Fixing people with disability to be capable in the community.”

He also called for stronger partnerships among government, NGOs, churches, traditional leaders and families, as well as small disability offices in all ten counties.

National Director for Disability at the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, Emmanuel Lubari, said inclusion requires coordinated efforts from government, civil society, development partners and organizations of persons with disabilities.

“Both the government, organizations of persons with disability and the partners as we work together with the civil society organizations and the religious leaders.”

Western Equatoria State Minister of Gender and Social Welfare, Cecelia Anigunde, said the consultation provides an opportunity to strengthen rules and systems supporting persons with disabilities.

“We know that disability is not inability.”

Anigunde called for collective responsibility to ensure policies and programmes for persons with disabilities are implemented in practice. “Whatever we design for our people, we have to do it practically. We have to cooperate with them.”