Africa-Press – Tanzania. PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has vowed to promote equal opportunity for all to ensure no person is left behind in socio-economic undertakings, regardless of their physical inabilities.
The Head of State made the pledge yesterday, stressing that: “disability is not an inability, for it does not prevent individuals from doing greater things.”
According to her, the only thing that differentiates human beings is physical appearances, noting that all God’s creations in this world carry certain meanings.
“Disability should not prevent people from doing things, what is needed is to prepare a conducive environment for everyone to have access to the same treatment, opportunities, and advancement,” said President Samia at an event to congratulate the National Amputees Football Team-Tembo Warriors after qualifying to play during the World Cup Finals in Turkey, next October.
President Samia said the football team players and music band which performed at the event are a living example of the saying ‘disability is not an inability’, pointing out that everyone has seen by their vivid eyes on their abilities.
She disclosed that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) demand that countries should leave no one behind so that each and every person can enjoy sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and social progress.
Since the adoption of the SDGs in September 2015, disability is referred to in various parts of the SDGs’ targets, including in relation to education to ensure equal access to all levels of education, including for persons with disabilities; growth and employment by promoting decent work and equal pay for all).
Equally, inequality as goal Number 10 calls for the empowerment and inclusion of all regardless of any status including disability, accessibility of human settlements as well as data collection and monitoring of the SDGs “What is needed as a country is to ensure we are creating an environment, where no one is left behind regardless of their physical appearances,” she noted further pledging to stand with Tembo Warriors in their journey to more success.
The 2012 Population and Housing Census data estimates that 9.3 percent of the Tanzania population lives with a disability although the data does not include young people or children with disabilities.
Recently, the Director responsible for People with Disabilities in the Prime Minister’s Office, Mr Jacob Mwinuka noted that various efforts are being done by the government to ensure the challenges facing people with disabilities get solutions.
Apart from that, Mr Mwinuka noted that the government has finalized guidelines for key priority areas for people with disabilities, which he said, will be a breakthrough in reaching out to the group.
The government has also prepared guidelines which will be used in exercises of identifying children with disabilities.
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