“It is incumbent upon us all, both collectively and in our personal capacities to acknowledge, respect, support, appreciate and live by the dignity, rights and welfare of the disabled” – President Silanyo
By M.A. Egge
HARGEISA: – (Somalilandsun) – The International Day of People with Disability (ID PwD) marked worldwide was celebrated in the biggest way ever in the country’s history yesterday in Somaliland with none other than the President himself H.E. Ahmed Mohammed Mohamud Silanyo at the forefront.
With the epitome of the commemoration witnessed the well attended function at the Civil Service Commission Hall in the city, it reached its climax with the distribution of 28 dune-sand -motors and 150 bicycles for disabled person by the President.
He greeted and joked with the disabled who were of all ages in a visibly hilarious moment.
In an extremely emotional and moving short speech that emitted sincerity and compassion, the Head of State was pragmatic that the government would prioritize issues and policies addressing the needs of the PwD.
In fact the occasion was yet another achievement of one of his promises and pledges given to PwD that his administration would take care of their public welfare and related interests.
“I am quite happy just as we are all quite elated to come together to celebrate this day in honouring the dignity of the people with disabilities”, said the President.
He emphasized that, “It is incumbent upon us all, both collectively and in our personal capacities to acknowledge, respect, support, appreciate and live by the dignity, rights and welfare of the disabled”.
He said that he would prioritize policies that go in line with the PwD welfare such as public amenities constructed in tune to their needs.
The Head of State was equivocal that consideration would be taken as concerns the health, schooling and employment of PwD.
He noted that regardless of the cause of the disability whether congenital, accidental or as a result of illness, all disabled persons were indeed quite able to be productive in all spheres of lives any other persons.
In fact, he intoned, most of them were veteran freedom fighters.
Surely, the President’s tone was indeed so filled with compassion that it promptly evoked soul searching by any given audience.
Several ministries amongst them Hon. Abdillahi Mohammed Dahir Ukuse of Information and Hon. Hersi Ali Haji Hassan of the Presidency were amongst the dignitaries who graced the occasion.
Disability Day, or International Day of People with Disability, is a
day that is sanctioned by the United Nations. It commemorated on the
3rd of the twelfth month of every year.
The aim of Disability Day is to encourage a better understanding of
people affected by a disability, together with helping to make people
more aware of the rights, dignity and welfare of disabled people.
Disability Day was founded in 1992 and is a day that is marked around
the world by a variety of events held in many countries. The original
name for this day was the International Day of Disabled Persons. The
day’s origins date back to 1981 and the International Year of Disabled
Persons, which was created to improve the lives of disabled people all
around the globe, as well as to prevent disabilities from occurring in
the first place.
The Day is used for holding discussions, forums and campaigns relating
to disability, and communities are encouraged to organize performances
in their local area.
These can range from hosting a musical to a play,
and disabled people should be involved in these productions. The
overall aim is to show that a person with a disability can be a
vibrant member of society.
Each year the day is celebrated there is an emphasis on a new aspect
related to improving the lives of people living with a disability. In
2012 there was a call to help disabled people live in an inclusive
society in every country, and to make sure that society was as
accessible as possible for disabled people
