People with a disability must be counted and included in society. They must be able to make their own individual choices and have control over their own lives. “They also have rights. Accessibility for this target group must also be increased, ”says Minister Uraiqit Ramsaran of Social Affairs and Housing (Sozavo).
Deciding for yourself is an important condition to increase the well-being of this vulnerable target group. This gives them the opportunity to participate fully in social life. The ministry is raising awareness among this target group and is therefore working hard to involve them in policy.
For the minister, every individual counts, including people with a disability. According to the minister, this target group can also contribute to the progress of Suriname. Often enough, people with disabilities are underestimated, but they too are full of talent and very entrepreneurial, which they express in their own special way.
Today the entire world community commemorates the International Day for People with Disabilities. This day is also an important day for the Surinamese nation. “A day to reflect on and realize how important people with disabilities are to every society in the world,” said Minister Ramsaran.
For this year, the ministry emphasizes articles 8 and 10 of the treaty, in particular the promotion of awareness and the right to life. According to the minister, the articles are significant. Reason why this year was chosen as the theme: “Building Back Better: Towards a Disability-inclusive, Accessible and Sustainable post-COVID-19 World” (Building a better disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world).
With this day the United Nations aims to keep the discussion about human rights and equal opportunities for people with disabilities on the agenda, at all levels. In October 1992, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution at its special plenary session declaring that December 3 of each year would henceforth be designated “International Day for People with Disabilities”. This day is all about making connections between people with and without disabilities.
The director of Sozavo, Melitia Sentelia, sees the day as a day for reflection. “It is a day full of reflection I would say to find out what we have been able to do for this target group. According to article 8 of the Constitution, people with disabilities are entitled to equal treatment, just like any other world citizen, including Surinamese. At the ministry we work on creating prosperity for the target group. Not only material prosperity, but also financial. ”
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