South Africa – The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities will on Sunday join the global community in commemorating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), which aims to promote the rights of people with disabilities at every level of society .
Observed every year on 3 December, the annual International Day of Persons with Disabilities was proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3 .
Globally, the day aims to promote the rights and well-being of people with disabilities at every level of society and to raise awareness of the situation and conditions of people with disabilities in all aspects of social, economic and cultural life .
The 2023 IDPD will be commemorated under the theme: “United in action to rescue and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for, with and by persons with disabilities” .
The organisations of the United Nations are expected to reaffirm the United Nations Disability Inclusion strategy that provides a foundation for sustainable and transformative progress on disability inclusion towards the complete realisation of the human rights of all people with disabilities is an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of all human rights and fundamental freedoms .
As a member of the United Nations, the department said South Africa ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2007, and the African Union Charter on Human and Peoples Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa in March 2022 .
“In contributing to the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 7, South Africa has approved a White paper on the rights of persons with Disabilities with an implementation matrix with set clear indicators for implementation by duty bearers .
The indicators also find expression in the National Development Plan 2030 and the Medium-Term Strategic Framework,” the department said in a statement .
The 3rd of December also marks the end of Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM) observed from 3 November to 3 December with 3 December as the National Day for Persons with Disabilities .
Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will on Sunday join the Gauteng Provincial Government and Special Olympics Committee, including organisations of and for people with disabilities and South Africa to observe and commemorate National Day of persons with disabilities .
The event is scheduled to take place at St Benedict’s College, Bedfordview, Johannesburg, from 9am .
