Botswana gears up to increase inclusivity of persons with disabilities

13 Juin 2020

Gaborone, Botswana, June 13 (Infosplusgabon) - Botswana has embarked on mainstreaming initiatives to ensure inclusivity of persons with disabilities, including those with albinism, an official source said here Saturday.

Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration Dumizweni Meshack Mthimkhulu said this while commemorating the International Albinism Awareness Day.

He said government recognized civil society organisations as partners in tackling human rights violations against persons with albinism as well as in promoting their rights.

“Government therefore continues to engage with non- governmental organisations for albinism to ensure accessibility and empowerment of persons with albinism,” said Mthimkhulu.

He implored the nation to stand together with persons with albinism in their fight to live a life free of stigma, discrimination, fear and violence.

Meanwhile, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) secretariat has condemned continued persecution of people living with albinism in Africa.

Stergomena Lawrence Tax, Executive Secretary of SADC, on Saturday in a statement to celebrate the International Albinism Awareness Day said the bloc was determined to combat any form of discrimination against persons with albinism around the world.

“We recognise that persons with albinism continue to face various forms of abuse, ranging from stigma and discrimination, low access to health and education services, social and political exclusion, as well as persecution that sometimes include ritual murders,” said Tax.

She said SADC condemned all forms of violations and abuse against persons living with albinism.

In addition, Tax reiterated that it was crucial to underscore the need for advocacy interventions to dispel societal myths and misconceptions about albinism and to ensure the protection and upholding of the rights of persons with albinism.

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