Introduction:
Somaliland National Disability Forum (SNDF) is an umbrella organization consisting of 40 member organizations that advocate for the interests of marginalized groups such as persons with disabilities and minorities in Somaliland.
Persons with disabilities (PWD’s) in Somaliland, who are often forced to live on the margins of society, continue to face barriers as regards their participation in society. They are routinely denied of their basic rights such as education, equal rights before the law, legal capacity, and the right to participate in political and public affairs; they also face acute discrimination in family, social and national levels. PWDs are suffering complete social exclusion. For instance, have no access to public and private buildings because of lack of accessible ramps. Consequently, many PWDs have no access to employment opportunities because of the discriminatory laws and practices prevailing in our society. The existing infrastructure is incapable of creating space for PwDs as regards accessing the services to which they are entitled.
CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL DAY-3RD DECEMBER 2020
In celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities, SNDF intends to highlight the plight of persons with disabilities in Somaliland with various activities ranging from debates, drama and shows. We also wish to lobby with the government and other stakeholders as regards the enactment and implementation of appropriate and effective policies that protect and promote the rights of PwDs including the mainstreaming of disability issues in all development programmes as provided for in international instruments such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
This letter is an invitation to your organisation to join the disabled persons in solidarity as we mark this important day, and to seek your support and contribution to this great event. Please find enclosed a proposed budget of the event.
We thank you for your co-operation and we look forward to seeing you join us on the 3rd of December 2019.
Yours in Solidarity,
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Abdiqani Saed Hayan
Executive Director
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Dahir Abdi Hussein
Chairman, Board of Trustees
Somaliland National Disability Forum
