A regional workshop for the Arab Region on
the 'Disabled Person's Status and the Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs)' meant to prepare for the High-Level Meeting on Disability and
Development opened, on Wednesday, in Gammarth, northern suburbs of
Tunis.
Opening works, interim Prime Minister Ali Larayedh emphasised the
need to mobilise efforts of all stakeholders to ensure fairness and
equal opportunities for all categories, including those with specific
needs.
Larayedh also highlighted the imperative to update and promote
relevant national legislation by means of putting into effect positive
discrimination programmes targeting people with disabilities,
establishing a statistical system and creating a coherent database to
help make policies and rectify a number of programmes.
The two-day event takes place ahead of the High-Level Meeting on
Disability and Development with the overarching theme: "The Way Forward:
a Disability Inclusive Development Agenda towards 2015 and Beyond," to
be held during the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
next September 23 in New York, Social Affairs Minister Khalil Zaouia
underscored.
Chief of the Secretariat for the Convention on the Rights of Persons
with Disabilities Akiko Ito underlined the need to ensure the
fundamental rights of this category, namely the right to healthcare and
education, while securing their integration in the development process.
The Arab world is home to nearly 53 million persons with disabilities
who demand to be integrated in their respective societies, World Health
Organisation (WHO) representative pointed out. About 50% of the former
can lead a normal life, he specified.
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) representative in Tunis Maria
Luisa Fornana said there are 300 million disabled children in the
world, 100 millions among whom are under the age of 5.
80 % of children with disabilities live in developing countries and
250,000 to 500,000 lose their sight annually because of vitamin A
deficit, she further said.
Source : All Africa , 29th May 2013
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