CS announces landmark initiatives for Persons with Disabilities in Balochistan
- August 23, 2015, 3:31 pm
- National News
- 70 Views
QUETTA Aug 21 (PPI): In a landmark initiative Chief Minister Balochistan Saifullah Chatha attended the Provincial Consultative Meeting to develop the strategy for person with disabilities in Balochistan organized by World Health Organization in collaboration with Social Welfare Department Balochistan. It was for the first time in the history of Balochistan that the Chief Secretary of the province along with his team of secretaries of the relevant department and persons with disabilities were sitting on the same table , discussing discriminations/inequalities being faced by the PWDs and coming up with solutions.
Dr Kahoor Khan DG Social Welfare gave the welcome address. Dr Maryam Mallick Technical Advisor Disabilities and Rehabilitation welcomed the Chief Secretary and gave a detailed presentation on overview of disability situation in the country. She explained that in the Post Devolution Scenario there is a dire need to develop Provincial Disability Strategies, in line with UNCRPD, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Disability Legislation (in the process of enactment). It will guide public policy across relevant sectors and will aim to bring about change in all mainstream services and programs for improving the lives of people with disability, their families and carers, and to providing leadership for a paradigm shift in attitudinal barriers. She further said that the development of Disability Strategy will represents a commitment by all levels of government, to a unified, provincial approach to policy and program development. This new approach will assist in addressing the challenges faced by people with disability, both now and into the future.
Afterwards PWDs from each categories presented their issue related to disabilities in length in an interactive session. Chief Secretary listened to all the issues and suggestions with great attention and compassion. He further addressed the gathering and appreciate the role of WHO in supporting the province for developing legislation as well as strategies on disabilities. He announced certain concrete decisions which included making ramps for all the offices situated at the ground floor, Special incentive for teachers who are teaching children with disabilities, allocation of seats in governmental educational institutions. He further announced self-employment funds and Social Welfare Department was instructed to develop a proposal in this regard. A school for hearing impaired persons was also announced by the Chief Secretary.
Secretary Education also gave a brief account of initiatives undertaken for providing employment opportunities to PWDs.
The Chief Secretary assured the Persons with disabilities that the Balochistan Disability Bill developed by WHO in consultation with the Social Welfare Department Balochistan and all the major stakeholders will be soon presented to the Cabinet for its enactment by the provincial assembly. The Persons with Disabilities thanked the CS for his presence amongst them and for his commitment for the cause of disability in the province.
