From 15th to 19 July 2013, Burundian delegates are in Rwanda for a study visit on how to promote the welfare of persons with disabilities. The delegation is made by Miss DUCONSEILLE Caroline, the Country Director of Handicap International Burundi, Mr NDAYISENGA Joseph from Ministry of Solidarity, Human Right and Gender, and Dr Chanel BAMPOYE with Dr Irenée NDABAGIYE both from the Ministry of Public Health.
On 18th July 2013, the delegation had a meeting at MINALOC office with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government, Mr Vincent MUNYESHAYAKA, the Executive Secretary of the NCPD, Mr Emmanuel NDAYISABA and other persons from different institutions in charge of promoting the livelihood of persons with disabilities including Handicap International Rwanda, MINALOC and NCPD.
In his speech, the Permanent Secretary of MINALOC explained that the government of Rwanda has established policies and programs aiming at promoting the socio-economic livelihood standard of vulnerable people. Those programs are EDPRS II, Girinka Program, VUP, UBUDEHE,... In particular, the Government of Rwanda has established the National Council of Persons with Disabilities with mission to be a forum for advocacy and social mobilisation on issues affecting persons with disabilities in order to build their capacity and ensure their participation in the in different sectors of development.
After the presentation on the organization and functioning of the National Council of Persons with Disabilities presented by the Director of the Economic and Social Empowerment Unit in NCPD, Mr Oswald TUYIZERE, the delegates were explained the status of persons with Disabilities in Rwanda. At this point, from a brief historical background of Disability movement in Rwanda, the Executive Secretary of NCPD showed the step made by Rwandan Government in promoting disability rights where disability issues are no longer considered as actions of charity or a an issue to be handled by civil society but as “rightsâ€.
Reported by:
MUNYESHURI Olivier
D-ICT Officer/NCPD