International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is observed every year on 3rd of December. The theme for this year is “Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fueling an accessible and equitable world.”
The day is about promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities at every level of society and development, and to raise awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of political, social, economic, and cultural life.
WHO joins the endeavor to reinforce the importance of securing the rights of people with disabilities, so they can participate fully, equally and effectively in society with others, and face no barriers in all aspects of their lives.
According to the Global Report on Assistive Technology, 2.5 billion people need at least one assistive product.
The demand is expected to go up to 3.5 billion by 2050.
The requirement may range from a spectacle to highly advanced myoelectric hand or robotic exoskeletons. However, nearly nine out of 10 people who need assistive technology do not have access to it – this has an adverse impact on the education, livelihood, health and well-being of individuals, families, communities and societies.
In Afghanistan, despite the current economic problems facing the people, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) is making effort to help the 4.4 million Afghans with disabilities get access to all services as they have now limited access to services in the country.
People with disabilities in Afghanistan somehow face discrimination, limited services, and a lack of a legislative or institutional framework to ensure their fundamental rights. Most of the people with disabilities in the country are now the needy part of the population.
Disability affects individuals and families socially, economically, and mentally.
The ICRC works along with the government and other establishments in order to reduce effects of disability on the lives of people in the country. It is among the largest organizations of the world serving to trigger rise in the living standards of disabled people in Afghanistan and other countries. The organization provides more than 100 thousand disabled people with various equipment every year.
It is worth mentioning that persons with disability are facing financial difficulties and absence of a source of income. Most of them are deprived of education and opportunities for capacity and personality development.
Although the State Ministry of martyrs and disabled affairs serves disabled people by providing them with a stipend amount, but that too is for those who have been disabled due to war. It does not include maternal and incidental disabilities. Mohammad Daud
Afghanistan home of more than 4 million people with disabilities
