Tessie Mudavadi call for end of stigma among PWDs
Kenyans have been urged to unite in the fight to end the stigma surrounding disabilities.
Speaking at this year’s International Day for Persons With Disabilities celebrations on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 in Nairobi, Tessie Musalia, the spouse of Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi, said every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, and it’s up to the society to create a society where inclusion and acceptance are the norm.
“By embracing early intervention, integration, and inclusion, we lay the foundation for children to reach their full potential, we foster environments where every child can learn from one another, and we ensure that every child, regardless of their abilities, is not only present, but actively engaged and valued in all aspects of life.
At the same time, Tessie appealed to the National Council for Persons with Disabilities to increase awareness of their mandate. She said the council should enhance awareness of the services they provide beyond registration of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
In a speech read on her behalf by Ushiriki Wema executive director Mercylyn Mokeira, Tessie said the council needed to let Kenyans know that it also facilitates access to special education, government subsidies and support tailor-made for PWDs in education healthcare, training, and empowerment.
“By strengthening these initiatives, we can ensure their integration into society, with the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.” She said.
The day was themed: “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.”
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated 16 per cent of the world’s population experience significant disability, which represents one in six of the people.
The autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is estimated to affect about one in 100 children globally. In Kenya, the 2019 census estimated the proportion of the population with disability was 3.5 per cent.
Ahadi Kenya Trust CEO Stanley Kamau lamented that most public buildings and facilities in Kenya are still not friendly to PWDs.
“Most buildings are inaccessible to PWDs. The government needs to ensure the buildings are compliant.” He stated.
Mali Therapy Centre director Pauline Wamukowa said Kenya had made great strides in integrating PWDs in the society but more still needs to be done.
“We need to have policies on inclusive education and ensure special schools are properly facilitated.” She said.
