Malawi's Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare has officially launched the 2023 disability awareness month, urging stakeholders to support authorities' measures on the issue, the country's government said on social networks.
The awareness month under the theme "United in Action to Rescue and Achieve the SDGs for, with and by Persons with Disabilities" is scheduled to take place from November 3 to December 3.
Giving a speech regarding the occasion, Malawi's Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Jean Sendeza called on to increase inclusion of disabled people in different work fields and development activities, the government noted.
In addition, the official highlighted that it is necessary to raise awareness about the difficulties that individuals with disabilities encounter in order to address the problems and to ensure human rights protection and practical inclusion of the disabled, according to the authorities.
Moreover, Sendeza emphasized the importance of working on problems of the disabled so that to achieve the goals of sustainable development, which are listed in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, the government said.
"When we talk about achieving the promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of leaving no one behind, we are, therefore, talking about an investment in a common future," Sendeza noted.
Furthermore, she revealed that the ministry plans to take measures, which will "showcase positive influences that persons with disabilities are making in society, highlight challenges experienced by persons with disabilities due to various barriers that limit their participation" and "engage communities so that they empower persons with disabilities to make positive changes in their lives and communities."
Sendeza also announced that the country's Mulanje district will host an event in commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 8.