Admin
UNMISS: Kuajok
Persons with disabilities expressed their frustration over the failure to fulfill promises made to assist them and turn their demands into reality. This came during a meeting that gathered 50 women and men with disabilities in Kuajok, Warrap State, to exchange ideas, experiences, and discuss their concerns and challenges in daily life, as well as how to reduce discrimination and increase attention to their special needs.
Mary Achieng, who highlighted issues of accessibility, noted that women face difficulties entering maternal healthcare and hygiene facilities. She said, “Our struggle is not just about disabilities; it’s also about dignity and rights.”
“These challenges are exacerbated by a lack of mobility aids and a general feeling of being repeatedly excluded from society”. She added.
Unfortunately, progress in addressing the needs of persons with disabilities is very slow throughout South Sudan. Since a similar discussion was held in 2021, little has improved, according to those who attended both events.
Deng Biar, a representative of the Kuajok Persons with Disabilities Association, confirmed, “We are still fighting for the same basic rights and services.”
It seems that the step from adopting policies to taking action remains as distant as ever, despite the pledges made in South Sudan’s revitalized peace agreement, which stipulates that all public services should be inclusive and accessible to all. Participants said that stronger enforcement of these provisions is urgently needed.
“in the state pledged to allocate land for a disability activity center, a tangible commitment” the Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare Encouraging
“It’s a start, but we need promises to be followed by real action.” Deng Biar commented.
The focus group discussion was organized by the Gender Affairs Unit of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, in collaboration with the relevant state ministry. It was also part of the global “16 Days of Activism” campaign against gender-based violence, as persons with disabilities are not exempt from this scourge. For many participants, the focus group discussion was a rare opportunity to have their voices heard
