22 Jul 2024

 In a move to prioritise disability rights and inclusion, the Ministry for State President has established 31 disability officer positions across all districts.

Speaking at a capacity building workshop focused on persons with disabilities in Gaborone, Ms Goitsemang Morekisi, the ministry’s permanent secretary, said the officers  would work as coordinators and facilitators within institutions, ensuring seamless integration of disability-related issues.

Ms Morekisi said that local councils, aided by the district commissioners’ offices, were entrusted with overseeing the implementation process, highlighting the significance of mainstreaming disability concerns

She said  disability rights  were fundamental human rights, therefore she stressed the importance of addressing and safeguarding these rights. “The ongoing constitutional review also encompasses provisions for disability issues,” she added.

Moreover, the permanent secretary underscored the collective responsibility of all individuals to prioritise disability mainstreaming and play their respective roles effectively. 

Non-compliance, she warned, would result in severe penalties, urging everyone to seek guidance from their legal teams within their organisations.

The primary goal as presented by  Ms Morekisi was the eradication of discriminatory laws, policies, and practices targeting individuals with disabilities, while simultaneously ensuring the protection and promotion of their rights.

She condemned any actions that perpetuated the exploitation, abuse, or neglect of persons with disabilities, urging the public to treat individuals with disabilities respectfully and avoid derogatory terms.

Furtherrmore She said the Convention on the Rights of People with Disability noted how people in different countries promoted the rights of people with disability.

With the commitment from national leadership and a call to action for all implementers,  Ms Morekisi said the initiative aimed to create a supportive environment for individuals with disabilities nationwide

The director of the Disability Coordination Office, Ms Peggy Garebaitse, shared plans of acquainting various sectors with the Disability Act and key frameworks to foster the integration and empowerment of people with disabilities. ENDS