Faisalabad: Christians and Muslims call for equal rights and opportunities for disabled people
by Shafique Khokhar
On the occasion of International Day for People with Disabilities, on December 3, several initiatives held across Pakistan. Christian Associations organize a march to raise awareness, followed by a seminar in the city's cathedral. A sister calls for a "quota" for people with disabilities in school and in the public sector.
Faisalabad (AsiaNews) - To increase awareness about the issues that revolve around disability, emphasize the value of human dignity, promote the rights and welfare, and integration in political, social, economic and cultural spheres of society: On 3 December, Christians and Muslims in Pakistan celebrated, International Day for People with Disabilities. Under the theme " Together for a better world for all: Including persons with disabilities in development" exhibitions, seminars, conferences and marches were held throughout the country, which have sought to involve as many people as possible. Among the many objectives of the campaign, which united people of different faiths, to raise awareness of the potential of disabled people, who can play an active role alongside the able bodied, although there are still obstacles and resistence to their full social integration.
To commemorate the International Day in Fasialabad (in Punjab) people from different social, educational, religious backgrounds met together with people with disabilities, government officials and representatives of civil society. The Christian activist group Association of Women for Awareness and Motivation (Awam) promoted a demonstration (pictured) to condemn discrimination and mistreatment suffered by people with disabilities in Pakistan. At the end of the march participants gathered in a room within the local Catholic cathedral, to animate a seminar titled " Inclusive and Accessible Environment." From the many interventions made by both Christians and Muslims, as a concern has emerged for the plight of the disabled, especially if they are women and children.
Shazia George emphasizes that "the disability exists in infrastructure, in society in ways of thinking and behaviour, not the person who has impediments." The woman asks the government to work to eliminate architectural barriers and adapt the standard of services and public transport for the disabled. A request echoed by Sister Josephine Emmanuel, who said that "people with disabilities need adequate attention", which allow them to contribute to social development. The nun asks for an exact census of people with disabilities and a "quota in education and public service."
The disabled are not only subject to hatred, discrimination, violence - explains Naseem Anthony - but also bad practise because of the inaction of the authorities and the failure to enforce adequate laws and policies for their protection. Pakistan has signed, he says, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and must work to "create an accessible environment and remove social, economic, political and legal obstacles ". An "independent institution" is needed suggests Nazia Sardar, and a "monitoring system" to ensure the full implementation of the CRPD.
To commemorate the International Day in Fasialabad (in Punjab) people from different social, educational, religious backgrounds met together with people with disabilities, government officials and representatives of civil society. The Christian activist group Association of Women for Awareness and Motivation (Awam) promoted a demonstration (pictured) to condemn discrimination and mistreatment suffered by people with disabilities in Pakistan. At the end of the march participants gathered in a room within the local Catholic cathedral, to animate a seminar titled " Inclusive and Accessible Environment." From the many interventions made by both Christians and Muslims, as a concern has emerged for the plight of the disabled, especially if they are women and children.
Shazia George emphasizes that "the disability exists in infrastructure, in society in ways of thinking and behaviour, not the person who has impediments." The woman asks the government to work to eliminate architectural barriers and adapt the standard of services and public transport for the disabled. A request echoed by Sister Josephine Emmanuel, who said that "people with disabilities need adequate attention", which allow them to contribute to social development. The nun asks for an exact census of people with disabilities and a "quota in education and public service."
The disabled are not only subject to hatred, discrimination, violence - explains Naseem Anthony - but also bad practise because of the inaction of the authorities and the failure to enforce adequate laws and policies for their protection. Pakistan has signed, he says, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and must work to "create an accessible environment and remove social, economic, political and legal obstacles ". An "independent institution" is needed suggests Nazia Sardar, and a "monitoring system" to ensure the full implementation of the CRPD.
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