Hargeisa, (SNDF)– Somaliland Non-State Actors Forum (SONSAF) in collaboration with Somaliland National Disability Federation (SNDF), a consortium of disabled people’s organizations in Somaliland have on Monday organized stakeholders discussion meeting on the political inclusivity of disabled people.
The dialogue meeting which was held in Maansoor Hotel, Hargeisa was attended by leaders of civil society organizations, cabinet members, legislators, SNDF Board and management team, various disability organizations, human rights Commission officials, and representatives of political parties.
The ultimate goal of the event was to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of Somaliland society including public and political life.
In his opening remarks, the chairman of Somaliland Non-State Actors Forum (SONSAF) Anwar Abdirahman Warsame highlighted the importance of promoting the political inclusivity of disabled people in Somaliland.
“It is important to promote cooperation and strengthen people with disabilities, as they have the right to be part of and join the decision making. As SONSAF, we are committed to working with the legislatures to develop laws that addresses the needs of people with disabilities”, SONSAF chairman Anwar Abdirahman Warsame.
The Executive Director of Somaliland National Disability Federation (SNDF), Mohamed Ahmed Essa speaking at the meeting stated that the disabled community in Somaliland remains largely excluded from public life and is underrepresented in parliaments and political parties, limiting their ability to directly engage in decisions that impact their lives.
Democracy calls for the participation and inclusion of all people. However, persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Somaliland face systemic exclusion from mainstream governance.
Social, structural, and economic barriers exclude PWDs from political participation. They include: stigma, negative stereotypes, discrimination, and negative attitudes towards PWDs; the absence of political party policies and laws that fully consider and make provisions for PWDs, and the low level of understanding of disability amongst decision-makers at all levels.
Newly elected parliamentarians, representatives of political parties, human rights commission officials and other speakers who spoke at the meeting stressed the need of political inclusivity for disabled people in Somaliland.
We wanted a lot to talk about how the disabled people can take part in decision making process in the country, but thank God we are talking about it today and we are grateful to SONSAF for its contribution.
SNDF Deputy Chairman Osman Ahmed Abdi pic.twitter.com/2AF4M1PumE— SONSAF (@SONSAFPlatform) September 13, 2021
We promise to expedite the rules for people with disabilities and to discuss with government agencies how to respect people with disabilities in the workplace and in the workplace itself. MP Mohamed Hussein Jama (Ramboo). Member of the Somaliland House of Representatives. pic.twitter.com/oDe29TKxoE
— SONSAF (@SONSAFPlatform) September 13, 2021
We believe that people with disabilities were Excluded from participating in politics. Disability responsibility is a collective responsibility, and it is important that problems are addressed in order of priority, but not to blame each other. Osman Afgaab.Chairman of Waddani C.C pic.twitter.com/Vh1XW3luAA
— SONSAF (@SONSAFPlatform) September 13, 2021
If a person with a disability is given a chance, he or she will definitely be better off than non-disabled people, and will be able to do all the work that is done by people with full disabilities.
Mohamed Hussein Isse, UCID Secretary of Campaigns and Awareness pic.twitter.com/x6dDDpFgG6
— SONSAF (@SONSAFPlatform) September 13, 2021
People with disabilities can say what they want, but they need to be dealt with and supported.
Roda Ahmed Yasin.
Member of the Somaliland National Human Rights Commission pic.twitter.com/0oyq2quRNq— SONSAF (@SONSAFPlatform) September 13, 2021
