The South Sudan Union of Persons Living with Disability (SSUPD) last Thursday conducted a workshop in Rumbek, Lakes State, to mobilize members there to form an association.

The workshop which brought together 25 participants was conducted at Rumbek Goshen with the support of LIGHT Organization South Sudan.

Peter Gum Ater, the director general of the Ministry of Social Welfare in Lakes State, said the state government supports policies that concern People with Disability (PWDs).

“This is not the first time for people in Juba to remember our PWDs in Lakes State. Many groups do come and give capacity building to this group. The government is concerned about PWDs and all of you are aware the president recently passed a bill for PWDs,” he said. “In Lakes State, we are implementing the government’s policies and are always concerned and our policy is that of inclusivity. We are concerned about children, women, and we are concerned about people living with HIV and any other disadvantaged group.”

“We have already supported the formation of their (PWDs) association and are also advocating for them to be registered officially by Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC),” Gum added.

On his part, a representative of the participants, Joseph Marial Pachol, said he was glad to attend the workshop and that Persons with Disability (PWDs) are capable of carrying out everyday tasks.

“Disability is not inability but disability is something that affects part of the body and it does not affect the brain and everything. All of you here can be more capable than those who are not disabled,” he said. “You are not corrupt because you want to do something correctly and those who are fit can be full of corruption. People living with disability are like people of God, and they are like priests.”

Meanwhile, the SSUPD women’s representative, Mary Sabuni, tasked women with disability to close ranks and fight for their rights and also appealed to the government for support.

“The women and people living with disability should strongly come and work together in promoting their rights in the country", she said.

SSUPD Chairperson Augustino Wudu urged the PWDs in Lakes State to promote peace and stability.

“If there is conflict in Lakes State or other parts of the country, the people who will suffer most are PWDs because they cannot run, see or hear,” he said.