08 Oct 2017

Political Science Lecturer at University of Botswana, Doctor Kekgaoditse Suping  has called on communities to support Botswana Federation of the Disabled(BOFOD).

Speaking during the patron launch on October 4, Doctor Suping  said that the United Nations has put in place the African and Democracy Chatter to protect and promote the rights of people with disabilities.  

As a country, he said there was need to reform social structures to accept people with disabilities.

Therefore,  Dr Suping encouraged people to change negative perception towards  people with disabilities  and treat them equally.  

Mr Suping said he was happy for Ms Gladys  Kokorwe to be the patron  of BOFOD because she would  promote and shape a better future for the federation

For her part, Ms Kokorwe, the speaker of the National Assembly said she was pleased to accept the request to serve as Patron of the federation.

  She said BOFOD was one of the organisations that mark a departure from the old approach that excluded people with disabilities from the mainstream society.

‘’Through BOFOD the voices of people with disabilities from 13 organisations are heard and barriers that would provide an excuse to exclude people with disabilities are slowly being removed,’’ she said.

Ms Kokorwe said people with disabilities advocated for their rights, worked hard to come up with solutions as opposed to believing that solutions would be provided for them without their involvement.

She further recognised the developments that had  taken place and would play a role in advocating for people with disabilities.

She said  that would be instrumental in the necessary consultations and work with government to make improvements with regards to the rights of people with disabilities and giving the support in maximising the potential of people with disabilities so that they participate equally and fully in the society.

‘’I am very happy that government has provided the environment for such developments to take place.

The office of the coordinator of people with disabilities is located at Office of the President, this goes to show that this is held in very high regard,’’ she said.

BOFOD was established to promote unity, solidarity, cohesion, coordination and cooperation among various organisations for  people with disabilities. ENDS