First lady launches convention on rights of disabled persons

The lack of education opportunities and employment prospects and links to poverty are some of the factors that contribute to disabled persons not being accounted for, concerns unheard and their rights to full participation and equality not being upheld.

This is according to the First Lady Adi Koila Mara Nailataikau who officially launched the convention on the rights of persons with disabilities yesterday.

Adi Mara Nailatikau said there is a need for more awareness programs that advocate on issues facing people living with disabilities.

Adi Koila stressed that there is still more work that needs to be carried in terms of bringing the challenges of disabled persons to the fore and that the awareness must also emphasize the abilities and talents of the disabled person.

A report by the International Labor Organization states that 10 percent of the World's population have disabilities and 470 million of these fall within the working age bracket.  

She said some of the problems disabled persons in Fiji face include, disabled persons only qualifying for financial assistance if they are destitute, 10 per cent of the Government's Family Assistance program are for disabled persons and that there is a connection between poverty and being disabled.   

However, she is pleased to note that following nationwide consultations with stakeholders, a National Policy on persons living with Disabilities 2008-2018 has been formulated to deal with these issues.   

Story by: Sofaia Koroitanoa