Making the lawmakers ‘aware’: Booklet on UN Convention on people with disabilities launched

It contains the state of disability in Pakistan, benefits of a more ‘inclusive’ society.

The Network of Organizations Working for People with Disabilities, Pakistan (NOWPDP), an initiative of the Aga Khan Council for Pakistan (AKCP), released a booklet on the UN Convention for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on Wednesday. The launch comes after the ratification of the Convention by Pakistan, said a press release issued by the AKCP. 

As of February 2010, 78 countries have ratified the UN Convention for the rights of persons with disabilities. The United Nations Convention aims to ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy equal human rights as others. Its objective is “to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights by the disabled people”.

The booklet has been distributed to members of parliament, the Prime Minister and President, to raise awareness about ways in which Pakistan can implement the clauses of the convention and become a more inclusive society for people of all abilities.

The booklet highlights the state of disability in Pakistan and the benefits of a more inclusive society. Moreover, it proposes implementation of legislation, through effective monitoring and governance bodies within the government.

It also suggests accessibility of buildings for people with disabilities, availability of quality education for all such children and equal opportunities for them.”People with disabilities should be able to gain employment without fear of discrimination,” said an official of AKCP.

The booklet was developed in collaboration with the Children’s Museum for Peace and Human Rights, after having compiled a petition of over 1.1 million signatures supporting the ratification of the convention.

The Children’s Museum for Peace and Human Rights and NOWPDP are working together to increase awareness of the UN Convention and Pakistan’s obligations under that Convention.  .

In a short span of three years, NOWDP has been able to attract the membership of 200 civil society and disabled persons organisations from across the country and establish a number of innovative programmes to provide opportunities to people with disabilities.

NOWPDP works with the objectives to create space and raise voice for persons with disabilities.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 3^rd, 2011.