For a more inclusive and equitable society
Mrs Pauline Irène Nguene Minister of Social Affairs presided over the opening ceremony of the steering committee to support the reinforcement of the rights of people with disabilities, accessibility, inclusive services and non-discrimination in Cameroon on Monday May 13, 2024 at Star Land hotel in Yaoundé.
Dans her opening speech, Minister Mrs. hailed the United Nations system that spared no effort for the effectiveness of this steering committee and also all the personalities present who, directly or indirectly, contributed to the organization and success of this meeting. It's proof, if any more was needed, of the commitment of the various national and international partners who demonstrate their dedication to promoting the rights of socially vulnerable individuals in general and disabled people in particular. Statistics show that the number of disabled people in the world remains significant, with a higher rate in developing countries where they live in poverty conditions. Often victims of stigma or discrimination, this segment of the population is among the vulnerable groups and has limited access to healthcare, education, and opportunities to support themselves. Cameroon is making progress, and on October 30, 2023, the government of the republic established, through a presidential decree in its article 5, paragraph 3, inclusive education for disabled people as a specialty in our ENIEGs, not to mention the Prime Minister's 2022 order that waived age requirements for disabled individuals in administrative competitions and public service recruitments.
This meeting allowed the various partners UNFPA, UNESCO, NGOs, and representatives of associations of persons with disabilities to make proposals to find holistic recommendations that can improve the daily lives of the disabled persons themselves.
For Emmanuelle Tchotchom, an inclusive society means "We, civil society organizations, work together with the government to make inclusion even better. The purpose of this meeting is: first, to help strengthen the capacities of people with disabilities themselves on the rights of disabled persons; second, to enhance the capacities of legal professionals (lawyers, judges, judicial and police personnel) on conventions and to address the accessibility of judicial information in Cameroon. In addition, we have addressed all the important issues related to synergy in collaboration with key sectors such as health, education, and vocational training. I believe that this project contributes to strengthening the capacities of CSOs working on disability issues. Around this steering committee, we have made recommendations for the next phase that the United Nations system is considering because we hope that key sectoral players such as MINDEVEL and MINSANTE will be the main actors, and we hope they will be present in case of funding. Furthermore, it is essential that people with disabilities are fully involved in decision-making processes that affect them, in order to ensure true inclusion. We must continue to raise awareness in society as a whole about the rights of people with disabilities and promote a culture of respect and equality. Together, we can build a more inclusive and equitable society for all.
Marcelle Ebanda
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