We need to be fully integrated

The government is called upon to ratify the law on people with disabilities in the Constitution in order to respect and ensure their right of living in the society like other people.-By Yves Didier Irakoze

Anne Marie Nduwimana launching the workshop.©Iwacu

Under the theme “Breaking obstacles for people with disabilities” the Association of women with disabilities, “Les Vaillantes” in partnership with International Handicap Federation, has organized a workshop to sensitize stakeholders and the government about the obstacles they meet in their daily life. It was also an opportunity for them to voice their needs to the government for their full integration in different state’s institutions.
According to Anne Marie Nduwimana, Chairperson of “Les Vaillantes”, people with disabilities in general and women in particular, face many obstacles in their daily life. They are in general mistreated by the society. They are named with negative connotations; thus, they are compelled to exclude themselves from the community. Moreover, the way buildings are constructed regardless of their physical conditions, doesn’t facilitate them enough. They are also obliged to make long queues in front of institutions’ offices while seeking services like other normal citizens…
“People with disabilities are not integrated in all the government’s programs, that is the reason why we want the government to amend the Constitution by including an appropriate law about people with disabilities, especially women,” points out Nduwimana. She goes on saying that they would like to see people with disabilities be represented at 3% at least in different institutions without forgetting women with disabilities. However, Nduwimana states that they are satisfied with the step already achieved by the government.
“We thank the President of the Republic for providing additional funds to various centers and associations in charge of people with disabilities. We particularly praise the centers and associations for the different types of training given to us for our development,” highlights Nduwimana.
In general, they need a more effective support by the government. “If the government fully integrates people with disabilities, they will participate effectively in 2015 elections. So, the Constitution should include the percentage of their participation in each domain.” states Nduwimana.

EAC can serve as a good example for us

According to Nduwimana, Burundi government is the only EAC country that hasn’t yet ratified the law about people with disabilities.
“In other EAC countries, people with disabilities are fully represented in various institutions. They plead themselves for their rights and needs; in other words, they are always present to struggle for their own rights in different institutions,” highlights Nduwimana. Nduwimana requests the government to copy what is happening in other EAC countries about the full integration of people with disabilities.