A coordination workshop for the member organizations of SNDF took place today at the Assod Hotel in Hargeisa to encourage improved voting accessibility and political participation for people with disabilities in cooperation with Somaliland Non State Actors Forum – SONSAF.
Remarks on the Coordination Workshop for SNDF Member Organizations by SNDF Executive Director Mohamed Ahmed Essa.
This coordination meeting is a platform where the people with disabilities can share their challenges. I am happy that the relevant government authorities have also participated in the meeting. People with disabilities are facing numerous challenges in Somaliland, but the most important one is difficulty in participating in the democratic process of the country. We believe if people with disabilities are in a position of power, they will work on the improvement of the living conditions of the PWDs in the country. I thank SONSAF and CISU for supporting us in getting access to voting and political participation.
Coordination Workshop for SNDF’s Member Organizations, Remarks by Osman Ahmed Abdi, SNDF Vice chairperson.
I thank SONSAF for its efforts in supporting people with disabilities’ democratic participation and voting accessibility. Some progress was made during the last elections with the support from SONSAF, but we want to ensure that every eligible person from PWDs has access to vote. The reason we want to improve our political participation is we want our voices and our concerns to be heard by politicians. We also want to become a force to be reckoned with.
Remarks By Anwar Warsame SONSAF Chairman.
Inclusive democratic participation is a constitutional requirement and a right to every Somaliland citizen; therefore, this project aims to improve the democratic participation of the people with disabilities by advocating improved voter accessibility. The project will also provide trainings to educate the PWDs on the democratic process of the country. Supporting the PWDs is a priority for SONSAF. I thank ©CISU for supporting this process.
Remarks By Abdirashid Ibrahim Abdirahman – The Direct General of the Ministry of Employment Social Affairs and Family.
I am honored to participate in this important event. The government of Somaliland is committed to providing the necessary support to the PWDs. I thank SONSAF and its partners for their continuing support. The Ministry of Employment, social affairs and Family is a genuine partner for the PWDs. – The Ministry has submitted the national disability bill to the cabinet for their approval. – The government has increased 60% of the budget allocated for the PWDs – The government gives supplementary budget to both SNDF and DAN – The government has budgeted 230 million shillings for the procurement of Equipment for the PWDs. – The Ministry started training volunteers on sign language to improve communication with people with hearing disabilities. Within two years we are planning to train 500 individuals. – We are also working with the Ministry of Education in providing free education to the PWDs. – The government will also employ 150 persons from PWDs.
