People living with disabilities in Western Bahr el Ghazal State have called on the government and its partners to also focus on them and provide them with vital assistance.
They said they face numerous challenges, including economic hardships, lack of physical access to certain areas and structures, and lack of funds to pursue education.
On Wednesday, the UNMISS Human Rights Division in Wau organized a round table discussion with two groups, the Union of the People with Disabilities and the People with Disability Society, to create awareness, enhance the rights of people living with disabilities, and empower them to advocate for their rights.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on the sidelines of the discussions, Lin Madut Nyipuoch, the executive director of people living with disabilities in Wau, said that despite the support from UNMISS’ Human Rights Division, they still face several challenges.
“Physical accessibility is very difficult for those who have wheelchairs, and they often cannot access public institutions. Those with hearing and visual impairments also face numerous challenges when moving on the road, and the deaf have problems when attending school due to lack of sign language,” he lamented. “Our economic situation is so dire, so we have challenges of enrolling for education, and most people living with disabilities are not able to afford school fees, scholastic materials, hearing aids, white canes, and other necessities.”
“There should be advocacy and collective responsibility by government, organizations, and private entities to help people living with disabilities,” Madut added.
He lauded UNMISS’ Human Rights Division in the state for assisting them technically and financially and urged them to extend their support to rural areas.
“My call to UNMISS is that they continue supporting us but also reach the counties, payams, and bomas where we have members,” Madut appealed.
South Sudan ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) on February 5, 2024. The convention went into effect for South Sudan on March 6, 2024.